Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh: Breast Cancer Most Diagnosed Among Women; 459 New Cases Among Kuwaiti Women in 2022

Abdulkarim Al-Abdullah: The National Campaign for Cancer Awareness (Kaan) launched its annual breast cancer awareness initiative under the slogan “Your Awareness Is Your Pink Seatbelt,” aiming to enhance health awareness and encourage early detection of the disease, coinciding with the global Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

Dr. Khalid Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Campaign for Cancer Awareness (Kaan), emphasized that early detection offers patients greater chances for effective treatment and better outcomes. He noted that data from the Cancer Registry place breast, thyroid, colon, and rectal cancers among the most common types of cancer among women in Kuwait, with breast cancer being the most frequently diagnosed.

Al-Saleh pointed out that cancer data for 2022 recorded 459 new cases of breast cancer among Kuwaiti women, representing 40.4% of all new cancer cases diagnosed in women, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 70.1 cases per 100,000 women. He clarified that breast cancer was also the most diagnosed among non-Kuwaiti women, with 364 new cases accounting for 43% of diagnosed cancer cases in this group, and an age-standardized incidence rate of 45.7 cases per 100,000 women.

He stressed that these figures clearly demonstrate that breast cancer is not merely a medical challenge, but a major public health issue requiring sustained awareness, education, and early detection. Adding that behind every statistic there is a woman—whether a mother, daughter, sister, or friend—he noted that responsibility extends beyond merely treating the disease after its onset; it lies in promoting awareness, recognizing warning signs, and ensuring that women seek medical advice without delay. He affirmed that early detection is one of the most critical elements in improving health outcomes for women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Al-Saleh called for continued education of women regarding breast health, emphasizing the importance of familiarizing themselves with the normal appearance and texture of their breasts, monitoring for any unusual changes, and seeking specialized medical evaluation when any concerning signs are observed. He stressed that self-awareness of breast health does not replace specialized medical examinations or professional clinical screening, but rather constitutes an important part of encouraging women to pay attention to any changes in their bodies and to seek medical advice when necessary.

For her part, Dr. Hessa Majid Al-Shahin, a member of the Campaign’s Board of Directors and head of the Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative, confirmed that Kaan has organized its annual initiative for fifteen years, running throughout October, the global Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

She explained that this year’s launch of the initiative comes in partnership with the Sidra Association for Psychological Care of Cancer Patients, with gold sponsorship from Al-Mulla Group and Bin Omeida Company, and in collaboration with the International Women’s Group, which brings together women of diverse nationalities, ensuring the message reaches every woman living in Kuwait. She highlighted distinguished coverage by the Media Office of the Ministry of Health and active participation from the Health Promotion Department.

Al-Shahin expressed her pride in these partnerships and in every partner who carried the responsibility of the message, noting that they all contributed to expanding the initiative’s reach and diversifying its programs and activities. She remarked that a seatbelt only fulfills its function when its straps meet, just as awareness only achieves its goal when efforts converge: the doctor provides knowledge, the media gives it a voice, art gives it a heart, community institutions open the path for it, and supporters ensure its continuity.

She stated that experience has proven that when awareness is sown, it bears fruit. She elaborated that since 2010, Kaan has successfully trained 197,000 high school students in self-examination and early detection, through the efforts of more than 1,000 physical education teachers who became trainers.