KUWAIT CITY, Nov 27: Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh, Chairman of the National Campaign for Cancer Awareness (CAN), stated on Tuesday that the campaign's strategy centers around achieving its objectives through community partnerships. He emphasized that the annual breast cancer awareness initiative highlights the crucial importance of early detection.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the breast cancer awareness campaign, which was launched by CAN under the patronage of Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs, Al-Saleh noted that breast cancer is the leading cancer among women, according to statistics from the Kuwait Cancer Control Center. He explained that raising awareness is essential to reduce the number of late diagnoses and the incidence of the disease. This includes educating the public about risk factors, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and focusing on weight loss to combat obesity, which is a precursor to many illnesses, including breast cancer.

Al-Saleh also highlighted that since 2010, the CAN campaign has trained female teachers to become self-examination and early detection trainers. Through cooperation with the Ministry of Education, 163,000 female students have been educated on the method of self-examination. He praised the increase in awareness rates from 61 percent before the campaign began to 72 percent after its conclusion, stressing that awareness and early detection are key factors in improving recovery rates.

Dr. Hessa Al-Shaheen, the campaign’s general supervisor, shared that this year’s campaign was particularly notable for its partnership with the Public Authority for Youth and the Health Promotion Department of the Ministry of Health. She noted that 23 diverse awareness activities were carried out, including the "Lose and Win" competition, in which women participated in a two-month weight loss program focused on sports and nutrition. The program provided access to a trainer and a nutritionist, with a WhatsApp platform available for participants to consult the nutritionist.

Al-Shaheen also reviewed the various awareness events, exhibitions, and seminars held in locations such as Kuwait University, Sabah Al-Salem University, shopping malls, the Ministry of Oil, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, the Grand Mosque, professional associations, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, and several schools.

Asrar Al Ansari, the official spokesperson for the Public Authority for Youth, addressed the significance of health and awareness issues, stating, "At the Authority, we understand that health and awareness are not just temporary efforts, but the foundation for building an informed society capable of facing challenges with confidence and strength." She emphasized the importance of this issue, noting its impact on women, families, and society as a whole. Al Ansari expressed the Authority's strong support for the campaign, driven by the belief that awareness is empowerment and that prevention is the first step toward change.

She further stressed the Authority's commitment to providing media support to amplify the campaign's message and ensure it reaches every household, reflecting their belief that health is a collective responsibility, not just an individual one.