Dr. Ahmed Salman to Al-Qabas: 5 Guidelines for Early Detection of Breast Cancer

Dr. Wala’a Hafez: Although breast cancer tops the list of cancers among women in Kuwait and the region, early detection enhances the chances of successful treatment. To boost early detection rates, five key guidelines stand out, including paying attention to any unusual changes, adhering to regular screenings, and consulting a doctor regarding family history. These guidelines gain particular importance in light of a recent Kuwaiti study involving 458 women from the country’s six governorates, which showed that about two-thirds of participants were aware of the free mammogram program, while also identifying groups that need more awareness.

Assistant Professor at the College of Public Health, Kuwait University, Dr. Ahmed Salman, told Al-Qabas: “The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers Dr. Fatima Al-Ghadeen and Dr. Ahmed Abbas, and published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. It included 458 women aged 20 and above from various governorates, between January and April 2025, with a response rate of 88.7%.”

He clarified that Kuwait launched its national breast cancer early detection program in 2014, offering free mammogram screenings every two years for women aged 40 to 69 who show no symptoms. The program aims to detect any changes before symptoms appear, when treatment success rates are highest.

Encouraging Result

Dr. Salman noted that 65.3% of participants, or about 299 women, were aware of the program, describing the figure as “a solid foundation to build upon.” This means that roughly two-thirds of participants are aware of the free service, indicating that awareness messages have reached a broad segment of society.

Self-Examination Linked to Greater Awareness

He pointed out that knowledge of breast self-examination was the most prominent factor associated with awareness of the program; women who knew how to perform self-exams were 3.6 times more likely to be aware of the program. He believed this result highlights the importance of enhancing awareness about self-examination, as it may contribute to raising awareness about early detection and encouraging women to monitor their health.

Groups Needing More Awareness

Dr. Salman noted that the study identified lower levels of program awareness among certain groups, particularly women aged 20–29, unmarried women, and non-Kuwaiti residents. He explained that identifying these groups helps health authorities target awareness campaigns more effectively, turning the study’s findings into a practical tool for planning.

Practical Recommendations

Dr. Salman called for multilingual awareness campaigns specifically targeting less-informed groups, and for integrating early detection messages into platforms that reach young women and residents, while simplifying the core message: where, when, and how a woman can access the free screening. He added that investing in awareness is a winning investment; every woman who gets peace of mind about her health early means a shorter journey, higher recovery chances, and a lighter burden on the healthcare system.

Important Tips

Beyond the study’s numbers, its message aligns with well-known health guidelines for early breast cancer detection, including:

- Know your body: Learn breast self-examination and pay attention to any unusual changes.

- Stick to regular screening: Mammograms are available free every two years from age 40 to 69 under the national program.

- Don’t wait for symptoms: The value of early detection lies in identifying changes before they appear.

- Family history matters: Women with a family history of breast cancer should consult their doctor about starting screening at an earlier age.

- Share the information: Tell your mother, sister, and friend, as awareness starts in your immediate circle.

Dr. Salman concluded that consulting a doctor remains the reference for determining the most appropriate plan for each case.