(Kuwait) announces its annual breast cancer awareness initiative

The National Campaign for Cancer Awareness (Kaan) announced today, Saturday, the launch of its annual breast cancer awareness initiative under the slogan “Your Awareness… The Pink Safety Belt,” starting on September 30.

In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kaan and head of its Executive Committee, reaffirmed Kaan’s continuation of a national awareness campaign that has spanned nearly two decades, during which it has accumulated extensive expertise in promoting health awareness and fostering a culture of early detection.

Dr. Al-Saleh stated that this year’s initiative builds on a cumulative record of success in which Kaan has trained 197,000 high school female students in self-examination and early detection. It also outlined a strategy to expand its reach to hundreds of thousands of students from secondary schools and universities, as well as employees, volunteers, women with disabilities, and cancer survivors.

He emphasized that awareness and knowledge are fundamental pillars for prevention, early detection, and enhancing chances of recovery, noting that breast cancer ranks first among the most prevalent types of cancer among women in the country.

For her part, Dr. Hessa Al-Shahin, a board member and head of the Breast Cancer Initiative, told KUNA in a similar statement that the success of awareness efforts depends on community partnership and the complementary roles of various stakeholders. She highlighted the participation of a large team of specialists and volunteers in ensuring the initiative’s success and in advancing the goal of moving from mere awareness and correct knowledge to adopting healthy behaviors and lifestyles.

Dr. Al-Shahin clarified that the initiative underscores the importance of the private sector’s role and its social responsibility in supporting health awareness. She confirmed that the campaign relies on collaboration with the Ministry of Health, official authorities, public benefit associations, and cancer centers, through examinations, seminars, and awareness activities conducted in educational institutions, commercial complexes, and other community venues.