Day: 7 February 2024

A large swathe of Southern France, from the Pyrénées-Orientales in the west to the Alpes-Maritimes in the east, has been placed under a red alert for high pollen levels.  

Trees of the Cupressaceae family, such as cypress and juniper, are the main culprits locally in the French Riviera, but the Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique (RNSA), which monitors national pollen levels across France, has also noted elevated levels of ash and alder pollen in the Alpes-Maritimes. In the neigbouring Var, the warnings also cover pollen from hazel trees and the nettle family.  

The red alert for pollen emanating from Cupressaceae species has already been in force in the region for two weeks and the situation is likely to continue to grow in intensity, says the RNSA, with mimosa trees also expected to reach full bloom in the coming weeks.  

The RNSA runs an interactive map service on its website, as well as a mobile phone app, that notifies the public of changing pollen warnings. Check it out for yourself by clicking here.

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Photo source: Alex Jones, Unsplash

As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

There are close to 450,000 new cancer cases detected in France each year and an estimated 185,000 people lost their lives in the fight against the disease in 2022.  

On 6th February, it was announced by the French government that the nation’s healthcare service was making a significant shift in its philosophy on cancer screening and, from now on, the registered population will be actively invited to attend regular screenings for three of the most common forms of the disease: breast, cervical and colorectal.

How it works

Under the new system, patients in the public health care system will be sent letters or emails reminding them to book in for screenings depending on their age and the type of cancer being screened for.

Women aged between 50 and 74 can expect to be sent a letter or an email from L’Assurance Maladie every two years asking them to book in for a mammogram and a general physical exam. A reminder about breast cancer screening will be sent out after six months if no action by the patient is taken, and again six months later. The service is fully covered by health insurance.  

Cervical cancer screenings, meanwhile, are targeted at women aged 25 to 65, but are structured differently depending on age. For those aged 25 to 29, there will be two initial baseline tests taken one year apart. If the results of both are normal, a review will be undertaken three years later. For those aged 30 and older, the screening is recommended every five years until the age of 65. The same reminder service will be employed by L’Assurance Maladie and 70% of the cost will be covered by insurance. In many cases, a mutuelle will cover the remaining amount.  

Colorectal cancer testing is available to both women and men aged 50 to 74 and is a do-it-yourself procedure. Every two years, free test kits will be posted to people in this age range. After following the instructions on the kit and placing the identification labels on the tube, the samples are posted back, free of charge, for analysis.   

Results from all tests can now be obtained via text message or by post on request.   

Regular testing, even if no symptoms are present, can help detect cancer in its earliest stages and thus vastly improve the treatment outcomes for sufferers. Indeed, early detection often proves the difference between life and death in the most severe cancer cases.   

For more information on the changes to cancer screening in France, click here. 

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Photo source: National Cancer Institute

Forest fires are raging through the Valparaíso region of Chile, leaving a path of death and destruction in their wake. In response, Prince Albert has sent a letter of sympathy and condolence to the leaders and the people on behalf of the Principality.

The wildfires in the Valparaíso region of Chile have reportedly claimed 131 so far, with hundreds still missing and thousands of homes burned to the ground.

President Gabriel Boric has called it “the worst catastrophe to hit the country since the earthquake of 27 February 2010”.

Thankfully, the fires, which officials are speculating were intentionally lit, are starting finally to burn themselves out, but not before five days of destruction that began of 2^nd February.

PRINCE’S SYMPATHY

Prince Albert expressed his concern for the Chileans in a written communique to the country’s President.

“Deeply shocked by the persistence of the forest fires in the centre and south of your country and their deadly consequences on your people and nature, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the victims,” he said.

“My family and the people of Monaco join me in addressing our thoughts and prayers to the people affected by this tragedy. I wish to convey my deepest sympathy to the emergency services who are struggling to contain the fires, and those who put their own lives in danger to help communities in need. Be assured, Mr. President, of our sense of profound solidarity in these difficult times.”

DEVASTATION AMID WORSENING CONDITIONS

The fires blazed in an area inland of the nation’s capital city, Valparaíso, with heavy smoke pouring into the coastal retreat of Viña del Mar and the town of Quilpué.

The flames were helped by strong winds which saw tinder-dry terrain going up in a matter of minutes on hillsides, and are reported to have started in four different locations.

“These fires began in four points that lit up simultaneously,” Rodrigo Mundaca, governor of the affected region, said. “Authorities we will have to work rigorously to find who is responsible.”

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Photo: Incendios Forestales