Al-Amiri: 28,000 Annual Breast X-Ray Screenings
Head of Radiology at Al-Amiri Hospital confirms that 28,000 annual breast imaging screenings are conducted as part of the national early detection program for breast cancer, launched in 2014.
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
Dr. Asma Al-Filakawi, Head of the Radiology Department at Al-Amiri Hospital and Head of the National Early Detection Program for Breast Cancer at the hospital, confirmed that the department conducts approximately 28,000 breast imaging examinations annually, including ultrasound, biopsies, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in addition to around 800 mammograms per year.
Speaking to Al-Jarida on the sidelines of a breast cancer awareness and early detection event held at Al-Amiri Hospital today, Dr. Al-Filakawi stated that the National Early Detection Program for Breast Diseases was launched in 2014. It covers various regions of Kuwait through five specialized health centers for conducting examinations, with results read at the main center. She noted that the screening targets women aged 40 and above who do not exhibit any symptoms.
She added that the program operates year-round, allowing appointments to be booked via the “Sahl” and “Salam” applications. Appointments open in the middle of each month for the following month, enabling women to choose their preferred center, day, and time without being required to visit a center within their residential area.
Dr. Al-Filakawi emphasized that research has proven the importance of early screening in detecting tumors, as it offers less intensive treatment options, increases the chances of recovery, and reduces the likelihood of recurrence and mortality. She pointed out that breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in Kuwait, with approximately 600 to 700 new cases recorded annually.
For her part, Dr. Mona Ashkanani, Head of Radiologic Technologists at Al-Amiri Hospital, highlighted the Ministry of Health’s efforts to expand screening and diagnostic services for various diseases, particularly breast cancer. She noted that the presence of surgical departments in various hospitals facilitates case evaluation and follow-up, reducing the need for centralizing service delivery.
In a statement to Al-Jarida, Dr. Ashkanani explained that women who notice a lump or changes in their breasts require medical evaluation at the health center in their respective area, with cases requiring further attention referred to the surgical departments in specialized hospitals. She clarified that evaluations for women under 40 typically begin with an ultrasound examination. If medical suspicion warrants it, additional radiological tests may be conducted, depending on the physician’s assessment and the nature of the symptoms.
