46,200 Early Detection Tests for Breast Cancer Conducted Over 11 Years

Dr. Abdullah Al-Sand, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, confirmed that the National Early Detection Program for Breast Cancer has expanded its awareness and diagnostic efforts. Since the program’s launch in 2014 through the first quarter of 2025, approximately 46,225 examinations have been conducted. Dr. Maryam Al-Shatti, a radiology consultant at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, noted that radiology services have expanded beyond diagnosis to include treatment, through techniques that enable the removal of certain breast tumors.

Speaking to Al-Jarida, Dr. Al-Shatti stated that this technology is available in most Ministry of Health hospitals, where certain tumors are removed using a small needle under local anesthesia, provided specific medical criteria are met, without the need for hospitalization or general anesthesia. She praised the qualitative leap in radiology services in Kuwait, which now offer comprehensive care encompassing early detection, diagnosis, various types of biopsies, and the use of modern equipment and technologies. She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about these services and the conditions under which they can be beneficial, helping to determine the most appropriate treatment option for each patient.

Dr. Al-Shatti denied claims regarding the risks of mammography, affirming that the examination is quick and involves a very low radiation dose, while offering significant benefits in the early detection of breast cancer. She stressed that there is no scientific evidence proving that the examination causes cancer or leads to its spread.