Saverne and Moselle-Sud region. Screening for female cancers: a mobile device ready to travel the region

Organic shapes reminiscent of health, colors in shades of blue and purple soft enough to avoid anxiety, and modern and legible typography. This work, designed by Ambre Langlois and Marisol Abeilhe, graduates of the Haute École des arts du Rhin, is featured on the innovation presented Friday, September 5 at the Saverne hospital center and will make it immediately identifiable: a "Mobile Health Prevention Unit," according to the official term.

In more concrete terms, it's a van fully equipped for screening breast and cervical cancers. Designed by the Strasbourg-based start-up Hocoia , it was initially supposed to be put into service at the beginning of 2025 , but the project has been delayed a little. "There were a lot of weight constraints to respect," comments Lucie Esteoulle, the company's director of operations. And for good reason, the vehicle should not exceed 3.5 tonnes, so that it can be driven without needing to hold a heavy goods vehicle license.

Because the objective is to crisscross the region, in this case Bas-Rhin and Moselle, since this facility is under the responsibility of the Saverne-Sarrebourg hospital group , in order to reach women who would not necessarily have had the reflex, or the possibility, to get tested. "This unit was designed for rural areas, priority neighborhoods, isolated communities, with the aim of reducing inequalities in access to prevention," summarizes Mélanie Viatoux , the director of the establishment, who is also leaving for the post of regional delegate to the French Hospital Federation in Hauts-de-France.

She will therefore leave this tool, which will prove crucial in the region, to her teams. Indeed, in the sector, the screening rate is low compared to the national average. Lack of information and access difficulties could explain this problem, hence the desire on the part of healthcare professionals to reach out to patients.

Inside the van, all the equipment necessary for the smooth running of care and the detection of the aforementioned diseases, knowing that in the future, colorectal cancer may also be concerned. An on-board mammography machine, a telemedicine station, a secure medical data transmission system, and an autonomous internet network occupy the premises. These will still benefit from the presence of two staff members at the midwife and radiographer stations, while the examinations will be transmitted remotely to the radiologist. Around thirty minutes should be sufficient for each visit, and the results will be sent a few days later.

In terms of planning, nothing is yet completely defined. "We'll go where we're asked. But there will already be tests by the end of September. We're really looking at starting in October," say Heidi Forler and Aline Fromeyer, coordinating midwife and radiographer respectively. The “pink” month would in any case have all the makings of a symbolic date to launch the system.

The latter represents an investment of just over 690,000 euros. It was supported, both financially and in its construction, by the Grand Est Region, the League Against Cancer and the Primary Health Insurance Funds (CPAM) of the two departments concerned, as well as by the European Collectivity of Alsace.