METROPOLIS HEALTH+: Your academic career, up to your agrégation, demonstrates great scientific rigor. In your opinion, what were the main challenges and key factors in your academic career?

MCA Gickelle MPIKA : The main challenges were primarily related to discipline and the ability to stay focused on objectives, despite a sometimes difficult environment. It was necessary to reconcile academic requirements, institutional constraints, and personal commitments, which was not always easy.

The keys to success lay primarily in resilience. It is this inner strength that allows one to remain focused on what is essential, to overcome obstacles, and to naturally prioritize the achievement of professional goals, without ever giving up on excellence.

How do you manage to reconcile your responsibilities as a teacher-researcher, clinician and leader of medical institutions, while continuing to inspire young doctors and medical students?

Everything hinges on rigorous personal organization and a true disciplined lifestyle. It is essential to learn to structure each chapter of one's professional journey—and even one's personal life—to maintain a harmonious balance. Quite naturally, I have always pursued several activities simultaneously: teaching, clinical practice, and administrative duties. This versatility is made possible by the support of competent and well-trained colleagues, whose commitment greatly facilitates the completion of daily tasks. This allows me to accomplish my work with serenity, without burnout, while preserving my passion for medicine. It is, I believe, this passion and quiet rigor that inspire those around me, and in particular, young students.

As an Associate Professor at Marien-Ngouabi University, how do you perceive the evolution of medical training within this institution, particularly in the face of new public health challenges in Congo?

Significant progress has been made in medical training in Congo, particularly at Marien Ngouabi University. The training program is now based on a competency-based approach, a method that places the student at the heart of the learning process and fosters the development of practical skills. This approach allows young doctors to be more effective and immediately operational upon graduation.

Furthermore, new programs have been introduced within the Faculty of Health Sciences, and several graduating classes have already completed their studies and are now practicing. This diversification of academic offerings directly contributes to strengthening the quality of the Congolese healthcare system by better meeting the current needs of the population and addressing public health challenges.

What efforts is Marien-Ngouabi University making today to strengthen medical research and encourage the next generation of women in teaching and scientific roles?

Marien Ngouabi University is actively committed to strengthening medical research, particularly through programs that support researchers, enhance scientific capacity building, and provide documentary and logistical resources to foster the production of high-quality work. These initiatives aim to stimulate a dynamic and sustainable research culture within the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Regarding the promotion of women's leadership, efforts are ongoing and cross-cutting. Women are encouraged to fully participate in teaching, research, and academic administration. Respect for and recognition of women have become institutional priorities, with a firm commitment to seeing more women access positions of scientific and academic responsibility.

After a month of Pink October dedicated to the fight against breast cancer, how can we sustainably raise awareness among populations — women and men — about cancer prevention in an African context still marked by delayed screening?

Raising awareness must be a daily and ongoing effort. It should not be limited to one-off campaigns, but should be integrated into all opportunities, particularly during medical consultations, community activities, and public health broadcasts. All media channels—radio, television, print media, and social networks—must be mobilized to reach all segments of society, including the most vulnerable.
Repeating these messages is essential because it helps break taboos and dismantle beliefs based on the supernatural, which are still very prevalent in our societies. By making information on prevention and screening readily available and accessible, we foster a genuine health culture based on knowledge and individual responsibility.

What are the known risk factors for cervical cancer? Is screening sufficiently developed in Congo? What tests are recommended for women at risk?

The main risk factors for cervical cancer are well-established. These include early sexual intercourse, immunosuppression, sexually transmitted infections, and tobacco use. However, it is important to remember that this cancer is primarily virus-induced, meaning it is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Prevention therefore relies on awareness and regular screening. In Congo, efforts are ongoing to strengthen these practices, but further progress is needed to make them more accessible throughout the country.

Recommended examinations include HPV testing and cervical smear testing, which remain the gold standard. In our setting, where resources are sometimes limited, visual inspection with acetic acid and Lugol's solution (VIA/VIA) is an effective and affordable alternative. If an abnormality is detected, colposcopy is indicated, followed, if necessary, by a biopsy for histological analysis, the only method capable of confirming the diagnosis.

Blue November highlights male cancers, particularly prostate cancer. What message would you like to send to Congolese men about the importance of early detection and regular medical checkups?

Early detection plays a crucial role in the prevention and effective management of prostate cancer. It allows the disease to be detected at a stage where the chances of recovery are optimal. I therefore strongly encourage Congolese men to consult their general practitioner regularly, or ideally, a urologist.

During this consultation, two additional examinations are recommended: a digital rectal examination and a plasma PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test. These simple and readily available examinations form the basis of screening.

It is recommended that men with a family history of prostate cancer undergo this screening once a year starting at age 45, and at age 50 for the rest of the male population. Active participation, whether individual or collective, remains the best strategy for reducing mortality from male cancers and promoting a genuine culture of screening in Congo.

How can we encourage women to talk about their gynecological health and not wait for symptoms to appear? In your opinion, what role can associations, foundations, and women leaders play in the fight against gynecological cancers?

It is essential to break the cultural taboo that still surrounds gynecological health in our societies. Too often, women hesitate to talk about abnormalities they observe in their intimate organs, out of modesty or fear of judgment. However, silence delays diagnosis and compromises the chances of recovery. Therefore, we must encourage open dialogue, free from shame or fear, about these health issues.

In this context, associations, foundations, and women leaders have a crucial role to play. They can encourage women to speak out, seek medical help at the first sign of symptoms, and actively participate in awareness campaigns. Their work also helps promote early intervention and support patients throughout their healthcare journey. By supporting these community and educational initiatives, we can significantly reduce the number of late diagnoses and save more lives.