Khan and the Blind: Awareness is a Message for Everyone

Dr. Hessa Al-Shahin, a member of the board of directors of the National Campaign for Cancer Awareness (Kaan) and head of the breast cancer awareness initiative, affirmed that the campaign has believed since its inception that health awareness is not directed at one specific group over another, but is a message for everyone. She praised the role of serious and purposeful media, describing it as a fundamental partner in spreading awareness and health education, delivering important messages to society, and reinforcing a culture of prevention and early detection.

This statement was made by Al-Shahin on Sunday during an event organized by Kaan in collaboration with the Kuwait Association for the Blind at the association’s theater. The event included honoring the winners of the table tennis tournament for female members of the association. During her speech, she emphasized that delivering accurate health information to all segments of society is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation, partnership, and concerted efforts. She stressed the importance of making awareness part of daily life, in addition to knowing risk factors, adhering to periodic screenings, and not delaying a doctor’s visit when any symptoms appear.

She noted that cancer data for 2022 recorded 823 new cases of breast cancer among Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti women, representing 49.7 percent of all new cancer cases diagnosed among women in Kuwait. She stressed that these figures are not merely for statistical purposes, but to underscore the importance of awareness, prevention, and early detection, as discovering the disease in its early stages can make a significant difference in the treatment journey.

Al-Shahin explained that this year’s campaign message carried the slogan “Your Awareness is the Pink Safety Belt.” Just as a safety belt serves as a means of protection, health awareness and early detection also serve as means of protection and safety. She emphasized that awareness is not complete simply by providing information, but only when it transforms into behavior, interest, and decision-making.

She added that women should understand the importance of screening and encourage those around them, while families should be supportive. She called on institutions, society, and the media to work together to convey health messages in a simplified and relatable manner. She hoped that the event would be the beginning of other messages, activities, and partnerships, and urged everyone to continue working toward a more aware and health-conscious society. Addressing every woman directly, she said: “Take care of your health, do not postpone your screening, and be aware of your body and your health.”

For his part, Abdulaziz Al-Azmi, head of the Cultural Committee at the Kuwait Association for the Blind, delivered a speech on behalf of the association’s board chairman. He thanked the attendees and participants in the event and praised the ongoing collaboration between the association and the Kaan campaign, wishing recovery for all cancer patients.

In her turn, Dr. Najlaa Al-Sayed provided the audience with information related to breast cancer during the awareness segment. She emphasized that awareness and prevention are better than treatment, stating that understanding the disease and then protecting oneself is the right path to a healthier life.

She confirmed that the recovery rate from breast cancer, when detected early, exceeds 90 percent, often without the need for chemotherapy or radiation therapy. She also highlighted key factors that increase the risk of cancer, such as excessive exposure to sunlight or radioactive materials, dietary habits, and various other risk factors.