KAN Launches Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative Under the Slogan 'Your Awareness Is Your Pink Safety Belt'

Kuwait City, 30 Sept (KUNA) -- The Kuwait National Campaign for Cancer Awareness (KANC) launched today, Wednesday, its annual breast cancer awareness initiative under the slogan “Your Awareness Is Your Pink Safety Belt,” aiming to enhance health awareness and encourage early detection of the disease, coinciding with the global Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

In an opening address, Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Campaign’s Board of Directors, emphasized that early detection gives patients greater chances of receiving effective treatment and achieving better outcomes, stressing the importance of sustained health education and awareness. He noted that “breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Kuwait and constitutes a public health issue that requires heightened awareness of warning signs and encouraging women to seek medical advice without delay.”

He called for strengthening women’s awareness of their health, paying attention to any unusual changes, and seeking medical consultation when such changes are observed, pointing out that self-awareness does not replace specialized medical examinations.

For her part, Dr. Hessa Al-Shahin, a member of KANC’s Board of Directors and the initiative’s breast cancer awareness coordinator, stated during the event that since 2010, KANC has successfully trained 197,000 high school students in self-examination and early detection, thanks to the efforts of more than 1,000 physical education teachers who have become certified trainers in this field.

She added that the initiative’s activities include exhibitions, lectures, training workshops, awareness sessions, community and sports events, as well as printed materials and educational resources that present health information in a simplified manner, aiming to transform knowledge into healthy behaviors and lifestyle habits.

She noted that the initiative’s launch is carried out in partnership with the Sidra Association for Psychological Care of Cancer Patients, with support from several private sector companies, and in collaboration with the International Women’s Group, with participation from the Media Office of the Ministry of Health and the Health Promotion Department.

The opening ceremony featured an art exhibition titled “When Art Speaks About Women… What Does It Say?” in cooperation with the Syndicate of Artists and Journalists, alongside the recognition of several sponsors and supporters of the initiative. (End) A.J.R. / N.W.F