In parallel with the Breast Cancer Awareness Month (the Pink Month) observed every October, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has launched today (Tuesday) a national awareness campaign on early screening of breast cancer, which is the most common cancer among Saudi women.
According to MOH, the campaign is dubbed “Don't Wait for Symptoms ... Have a Checkup Now”, because 55% of cancer cases in the Kingdom are detected at a late stage, and the main reason for delaying screening is that women believe that not having symptoms means no disease.
In this vein, MOH has exerted many efforts to correct such misconception, whereas the mammography screening discovers tumors at their earlier stages and before appearance of symptoms.
The campaign aims to encourage women at the age of 40 and above to come forward for early screening, as it is the only means to detect the disease in its early stages, with a recovery rate of more than 95%, Allah willing.
In an awareness infographic published on its Twitter page, the MOH explained that a woman has about 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer. It pointed out that the risk of breast cancer can be reduced by following some tips, such as: avoiding long-term use of birth control pills, having a mammogram screening every 1 to 2 year after the age of 40 years and older, getting an early screening if you have a family history of the disease, avoiding post-menopausal hormones, exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, avoiding obesity and overweight, breastfeeding and having children before the age of 30.
MOH added that the breast cancer is the most common cancer after the lung cancer and the first in women worldwide. It underlined the importance of early screening of breast cancer, as it contributes in reducing mortality rate, with a recovery rate of more than 95%, Allah willing.
It is noteworthy that this campaign comes as part of MOH's efforts to maintain the health and safety of all community members, to promote healthy lifestyles and to alleviate the burden of disease in line with health system's initiatives under the National Transformation Program and Saudi Vision 2030.