Breast Cancer Leads Among Women in Kuwait
Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Campaign for Cancer Awareness (Kaan), stated on Wednesday that breast cancer is “a major public health issue,” emphasizing the importance of continuing awareness, education, and early detection as key elements in improving health outcomes for women with the disease.
This statement was made during the launch of Kaan’s annual breast cancer awareness initiative for October, under the slogan “Your Awareness Is Your Pink Seatbelt.” Organized for the 15th consecutive year, the initiative aims to enhance women’s awareness of breast health, encourage recognition of warning signs, and promote seeking medical advice in a timely manner.
Al-Saleh noted that data from the Cancer Registry places breast, thyroid, colon, and rectal cancers among the most common types of cancer among women in Kuwait, with breast cancer ranking first in terms of diagnosis.
He clarified that cancer data for 2022 recorded 459 new cases of breast cancer among Kuwaiti women, accounting for 40.4% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases among Kuwaiti women, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 70.1 cases per 100,000 women.
Al-Saleh stressed that these figures confirm that breast cancer is not merely a medical challenge, but a public health issue requiring sustained awareness, education, and early detection. He explained that responsibility extends beyond treating the disease after its onset to include raising awareness, recognizing warning signs, and encouraging women to seek medical consultation without delay.
He called for continued education of women regarding breast health, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the normal appearance and texture of breasts and monitoring for any unusual changes. He urged seeking specialized medical evaluation upon noticing any concerning signs, reaffirming that self-awareness of breast health does not replace specialized medical examinations or professional clinical screening.
For her part, Dr. Hessa Al-Shahin, a member of Kaan’s Board of Directors and head of the breast cancer awareness initiative, confirmed that the campaign has organized its annual initiative for 15 years, with activities spanning the entire month of October. She noted that this year’s initiative is conducted 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.
She reported that since 2010, 197,000 high school female students have been trained in self-examination and early detection through the efforts of more than 1,000 physical education teachers who became certified trainers. She affirmed that the goal is to transition awareness from correct knowledge to behavior, and from behavior to a lifestyle culture.
Al-Shahin emphasized the importance of partnering with media outlets to deliver health messages to the widest possible segment of society, commending the participation of journalists and their coverage of the campaign’s activities throughout October.
She highlighted cooperation with the Syndicate of Artists and Media Professionals through an art exhibition accompanying the opening ceremony, titled “When Art Speaks About Women… What Does It Say?” She also mentioned the participation of “Makin House,” an initiative stemming from Kaan, which focuses on training patients and survivors to become active members of society.
Al-Shahin affirmed that women’s health is a shared responsibility among health, community, and media sectors. She stressed that this year’s initiative message centers on enhancing women’s awareness of their health as their “pink seatbelt,” and solidifying societal awareness as the starting point for change.
