Awareness drive launched for early detection of breast cancer

Muscat: The Ministry of Health, represented by the National Centre for Women and Children’s Health, launched on Sunday the national awareness campaign for the early detection of breast cancer under the slogan “Rest Assured.” This coincides with the global breast cancer awareness month, Pink October, and will continue for a year across the various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. The campaign aims to build sustainable health awareness, correct misconceptions about breast cancer, and enhance women’s knowledge of the signs and changes that require medical evaluation. It also seeks to encourage women to take the initiative for early detection and to enhance the role of the family and society in supporting women’s health.The campaign will implement various awareness and educational programs, initiatives, and events over the course of a year, in partnership with various sectors. This contributes to transforming awareness into sustainable health behaviour and enhancing the culture of proactive early detection under the slogan: “Rest Assured and Keep an Appointment with Your Health.”Dr. Faiza Abdul Hussain Al Fadhil, Director of the Women’s Health Department at the National Centre for Women and Children’s Health at the Ministry of Health, delivered a presentation titled “A Glimpse into the Stages of Development of the Breast Cancer Early Detection Program in the Sultanate of Oman.”The programme included a review of the stages of development of the breast cancer early detection program in the Sultanate of Oman, a humane dialogue on the recovery experience and messages of hope, and the official launch of the campaign. The programme also addressed the details of the campaign, its objectives, themes, target groups, and implementation mechanisms during the year. Furthermore, it reviewed the awareness materials prepared for the campaign and the mechanism for documenting and evaluating the events that will be implemented in the governorates.Dr. Badriya Al Qassabi, Head of the Early Detection of Diseases Related to Women’s Health Section at the National Centre for Women and Children’s Health, provided an overview of the details of the national awareness campaign for the early detection of breast cancer. Meanwhile, Muna Al Shukaili, a Health Education Technician at the National Centre for Women and Children’s Health at the Ministry, gave a presentation on the campaign’s awareness materials.Dr. Nabila Al Wuhaibi, Senior Consultant in Family and Community Medicine, presented an overview of the evaluation form for the national campaign’s events in the governorates.Discussions also addressed the experience of breast cancer from a medical perspective, featuring the voice of a woman who lived through the experience herself and now carries a message she wishes to share with every woman. Hafidha Al Amiri participated in a dialogue titled: “When Hope Triumphs.”The campaign comes within the framework of national efforts aimed at enhancing women’s health, consolidating the culture of prevention and early detection, raising community awareness of breast health, and encouraging women to benefit from early detection services in accordance with the age groups and standards approved in the national programme. The campaign also integrates with the national directives to develop early detection services for breast cancer, aligning with the objectives of “Oman Vision 2040” and the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2026–2030).Stemming from this, women’s health has received the Royal attention of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. Embodying this attention, the Council of Ministers directed in January 2025 the launch of a national program for the early screening of the most common cancer among women. This involves the establishment of seven early detection units covering the various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, marking a strategic step that reflects the national commitment to enhancing early detection services, expanding access to them, and providing them in a more comprehensive and sustainable manner.It is noteworthy that breast cancer represents one of the most prominent health challenges facing women’s health. However, early detection can make a significant difference in the course of the disease; the earlier changes are detected, the better the chances of treatment and health outcomes, increasing the possibility of accessing more effective care in a timely manner.