Al-Saleh: 30% increase in early detection saves 120 women annually from cancer

Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Campaign for Cancer Awareness (KANE), stated that a 30 percent increase in early detection rates for breast cancer, after 20 years of the campaign’s efforts, contributes to saving more than 120 women annually in Kuwait. He emphasized that awareness has achieved successes that medicine alone could not, noting that “no drug can accomplish such an outcome.”

This came during the “Your Day is Pink” event, held at the Al-Bahar Heritage Village, as part of the breast cancer awareness campaign under the slogan “Your Awareness is the Pink Safety Belt.” The event was attended by Dr. Anoud Al-Tariman, Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Affairs at the Ministry of Defense, Dr. Rashid Al-Hamad, Honorary President of the Campaign, and members of the Board of Directors.

He pointed out that the awareness message rests on two main pillars: disease prevention and early detection. He noted that a woman’s knowledge of how to perform self-examinations and understand risk factors is far superior to waiting for the disease to develop and then seeking treatment.

For her part, Dr. Hessa Al-Shahin, head of the breast cancer awareness initiative, stressed that the absence of symptoms does not mean the absence of a problem, and that regular screening is a necessity that should not be delayed. She noted that some women postpone attending to their health due to family and work responsibilities or fear of test results.

She affirmed the need to sustain breast cancer awareness throughout the year, rather than limiting it to October, to ensure that health messages reach women of all ages and backgrounds. She concluded by emphasizing that “your health is a priority, your awareness is safety, and your community is your support at every step.”