Al-Oudai: Breast cancer accounts for more than 40% of cancer cases among women in Kuwait

Health Minister Dr. Ahmad Al-Oudai stated that breast cancer accounts for more than 40 percent of registered cancer cases among women in Kuwait, with over 8,000 patients currently living with the disease and receiving treatment and follow-up care at Ministry of Health facilities.

He made these remarks in a speech delivered on Saturday at the Third Kuwait Breast Cancer Conference 2026, emphasizing that breast cancer is one of the most significant health challenges requiring a comprehensive approach.

Al-Oudai added that combating cancer requires a vision spanning from awareness and early detection to diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and follow-up. He noted that Kuwait has developed growing capabilities in addressing the disease since the launch of the National Early Breast Cancer Detection Program in 2014 and the establishment of the Rapid Diagnostic Clinic at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center in 2015, in addition to the creation of the Genetics Laboratory in 2016.

He explained that the opening of the Oncology Department at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital in 2022 represented a step in expanding specialized services, followed by the launch of breast cancer surgery and reconstructive services in 2022, which enhances integrated care and attention to functional and psychological aspects alongside disease treatment.

The Minister stated that the Ministry has kept pace with advancements in pharmacological treatments and worked to provide modern therapeutic options, including hormonal, targeted, immunotherapies, and antibody-drug conjugates, tailored to the nature and characteristics of the disease and the clinical condition of each patient.

He clarified that the Kuwait Cancer Control Center has begun implementing "liquid biopsy" technology to support molecular tumor analysis and utilize the results to guide treatment decisions in appropriate cases. Additionally, the Center began in 2026 preparing and conducting a clinical study in the field of breast cancer to support the development of a research environment that contributes to local knowledge production, adheres to approved scientific and ethical standards, and prioritizes the safety and rights of participants.

Al-Oudai highlighted the specialized subspecialty training program in Oncology under the umbrella of the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization, supported by the Ministry of Health, which aims to develop national competencies and provide an environment enabling efficient learning, research, and scientific inquiry. Over the past five years, the program has contributed to the graduation of six oncology specialists.

He mentioned that the Ministry is preparing to open the new Kuwait Cancer Control Center in the Sabah Medical City, representing an expansion in the capacity to provide specialized care. He noted that the scientific value of this project is determined by what it adds to the patient experience and treatment outcomes, including ease of access to services and the speed of completing procedures.

For his part, Conference Chair Dr. Anwar Al-Nouri stated that the field of breast cancer has witnessed rapid development, whether in diagnostic and early detection methods, in understanding the molecular biology of the disease, or in the successive advancements in targeted, immunotherapies, and hormonal treatments, in addition to significant progress in antibody-based therapies and antibody-drug conjugates.

He emphasized that breast cancer statistics represent not only a medical challenge but also a health priority that necessitates continued investment in early detection, precise diagnosis, integrated multidisciplinary care, and the availability of the latest evidence-based treatments.

Al-Nouri clarified that the Third Kuwait Breast Cancer Conference reaffirms the Ministry of Health’s commitment to supporting evidence-based medical practice, enhancing continuing medical education, and providing a specialized scientific platform that brings together local, regional, and international expertise to discuss the latest developments in the field of breast cancer.

He added that the conference addressed the latest developments across various stages of the disease, from early detection and diagnosis, through surgical, radiation, and systemic therapies, to the most recent advances in hormonal, targeted, and immunotherapies, antibody-based combination strategies, and biomarker-driven treatments.

He noted that the conference provides an opportunity to review and discuss key studies and clinical trials presented at international scientific forums during 2025 and 2026, as well as the potential implications of these findings for current and future clinical practice.