Al-Shaheen: Early Detection of Breast Cancer Makes a Big Difference in the Treatment Journey
“Kaan” organizes a disease awareness day in collaboration with the Kuwait Association for the Blind
[8:12 pm, 05/10/2026] Bilal Al-Siyasa: Dr. Hessa Majid 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 group over another, but is a message for everyone. She praised the role of serious and purposeful media as a key partner in spreading health awareness and education, delivering important messages to society, and enhancing the culture of prevention and early detection.
This came during a speech delivered by Al-Shahin yesterday evening, Sunday, at 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 women among the Association’s members.
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Al-Shahin emphasized that delivering correct health information to all segments of society is a shared responsibility requiring cooperation, partnership, and concerted efforts. She stressed the importance of making awareness part of daily life, alongside 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 affirmed that these figures are not cited 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.
She explained that this year’s campaign message carried the slogan “Your Awareness is the Pink Seatbelt,” clarifying that just as a seatbelt serves as a means of protection, health awareness and early detection also serve as means of protection and safety. She stressed that awareness is not complete merely by providing information, but only when it transforms into behavior, interest, and decision-making.
She called on women to understand the importance of screening and to encourage those around them, emphasizing the need for family support, and for institutions, society, and the media to work together to deliver health messages in a simplified and relatable manner. She expressed her hope that the event would be the beginning of other messages, events, and partnerships, and that efforts would continue toward a more aware and health-conscious society.
Al-Shahin addressed every woman with the message: “Take care of your health, do not postpone your screening, and be aware of your body and your health.”
She extended her thanks and appreciation to the Kuwait Association for the Blind, under the presidency of Faisal Lafi Al-Azmi, for its cooperation and hosting of the event, and for its ongoing efforts to serve and empower its members. She highlighted the participation of the Association’s female members in the table tennis tournament.
She affirmed that sports are an essential part of the concept of health and quality of life, and that disability does not limit a person’s ability to participate, contribute, and achieve. She also thanked those responsible for the theatrical work and its awareness presentation, Dr. Najlaa Al-Sayed for the health awareness segment, and the presenters of the heritage and awareness Q&A segment.
For his part, Abdulaziz Hamad Al-Azmi, head of the Cultural Committee at the Kuwait Association for the Blind, delivered a speech on behalf of the Association’s Board of Directors Chairman. He thanked the attendees and participants in the event, and praised the ongoing cooperation between the Association and the “Kaan” campaign, wishing recovery for all cancer patients.
Health Awareness
For her part, Dr. Najlaa Al-Sayed provided the audience with several pieces of information regarding breast cancer. She affirmed during the awareness segment that awareness and prevention are better than treatment, and that understanding the disease and protecting oneself from it represents the right path to a better, healthier life.
She noted that the recovery rate for breast cancer, when detected early, exceeds 90 percent without the need for chemotherapy or radiation therapy, outlining the key factors that increase the risk of developing the disease, including excessive exposure to sunlight or radioactive materials, dietary habits, and several other risk factors.
She highlighted several symptoms that warrant a visit to a doctor, such as noticing any unusual swelling or lump, and emphasized the importance of regular screenings for women under 30 every three years, and annually after age 40, alongside maintaining a balanced diet, avoiding obesity and smoking, and exercising, as these measures help reduce the incidence of the disease and improve recovery rates if contracted.
The event included an educational artistic segment featuring a purposeful theatrical performance that underscored the necessity of adhering to a healthy lifestyle, avoiding neglect of exercise and regular check-ups, thereby enhancing women’s awareness of their health.
The presentation also delivered awareness messages stressing the importance of family and community support for patients, and avoiding fear or surrender to the disease, as these are fundamental pillars in the recovery journey.
The “Al-Tayyebin” team presented a humorous awareness segment for the audience, along with competitions and prize distributions sponsored by companies supporting the event.
[9:17 pm, 05/10/2026] Bilal Al-Siyasa: British agency: Tanker hit by unknown projectile, fire breaks out on board in the Strait of Hormuz
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced on Monday that it had received a report of an incident in the Strait of Hormuz, indicating that a tanker had been struck by an unknown projectile.
The agency stated that the tanker’s captain reported being hit by an unknown projectile, which caused a fire in the engine room, while crew members worked to extinguish it.
It added that there were no reports of injuries or any environmental impact resulting from the incident.
