Kuwait launches annual breast cancer awareness campaign
Kuwait’s National Cancer Awareness Campaign (CAN) launched its annual breast cancer awareness initiative on Wednesday under the theme “Awareness Is Your Pink Safety Belt,” coinciding with global Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The campaign aims to raise public awareness and encourage early detection, which CAN Chairperson Dr Khaled Al-Saleh said gives patients greater chances of effective treatment and better outcomes. Dr Al-Saleh said breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Kuwait and remains a public health concern requiring greater awareness of warning signs and timely medical consultation.
He urged women to monitor their health, pay attention to unusual changes and seek medical advice when they occur, stressing that self-awareness does not replace professional medical examinations. CAN board member and campaign coordinator Dr Hessa Al-Shaheen said the organisation has trained 197,000 secondary school students in breast self-examination and early detection since 2010. More than 1,000 physical education teachers have also been trained as instructors.
The initiative includes exhibitions, lectures, training workshops, awareness sessions, community and sports activities, along with publications and educational materials designed to make health information easier to understand and apply in daily life.
The campaign was launched in partnership with the Al-Sidra Association for Psychological Care of Cancer Patients, with support from private-sector companies and cooperation with the International Women’s Group. The Health Ministry’s Media Office and Health Promotion Department are also participating.
