JEDDAH, 5 October 2003 — October is breast cancer awareness month, and under the umbrella of the Al-Eman Cancer Society and sponsored by pharmaceutical giant Hoffman La Roche, the second Kingdomwide breast cancer awareness campaign kicked off last week.

Addressing a press conference at Intercontinental Hotel here, Fahd Al-Soulimani, director of the Al-Eman Cancer Society, said the goal of the campaign is to raise awareness among Saudi women of breast cancer and the need to conduct periodic breast exams whether self-administered or through a mammogram.

Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Al-Manie acknowledged the efforts of the organizers in launching the campaign and underlined its importance by drawing attention to the Ministry of Health’s participation through all its primary health units.

The slogan for the campaign is “Self-Diagnosis and Periodic Checks Are the Best Assurance.” Dr. Mahmoud Al-Ahwal, consultant and associate professor of internal medicine and medical oncology at King Abdul Aziz University Hospital and a member of Al-Eman’s executive committee, explained that breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer amongst females in Saudi Arabia, with 20.6 percent of all female cancer cases attributed to it. Close to two-thirds of females who are diagnosed with breast cancer in Saudi Arabia are in the advanced stages, compared to only one-third in Western countries.

“Research presented at the medical conference held recently in Denmark found a decrease in the rate of advanced-stage breast cancer cases in developed countries, and that is because of early diagnosis and treatment,” said Dr. Al-Ahwal.

Although the number of cases in Saudi Arabia is considerably lower than Western countries — 21 cases for every 100,000 females compared to 90 to 100 cases for every 100,000 females in the US and Scandinavia for example — unlike in Western countries most of the cases here are in the late stages, which means lower rate of cure.

“Women here might not feel comfortable seeking medical checkups because of traditions or lack of awareness, but it is necessary to have periodic examinations because cancer is curable if diagnosed early,” Dr. Al-Ahwal told Arab News.

The month-long campaign will include the distribution of brochures, flyers and booklets in malls, schools, colleges and health centers, exhibitions in various locations, lectures by female doctors at women’s centers and high schools and colleges on how to conduct breast self-examination.

In addition, 100,000 breast cancer self-diagnosis flyers will be distributed through Sayidaty magazine, a sister publication of Arab News, in its October issue.

As part of efforts to give the campaign greater visibility, giant banners with the campaign’s slogan and a giant pink ribbon will be draped on major buildings in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam.