RIYADH: More than 200,000 women were tested for breast cancer and only 15 positive cases were detected in the capital during the monthlong campaign to fight breast cancer which ended here on Tuesday.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the campaign, Deputy Minister of Health for Public Health Abdulaziz bin Saeed said it was a successful campaign where 2,200 women underwent mammograms and the Ministry of Health was able to reach more than 200,000 women through this campaign.

The national campaign was organized by the Ministry of Health under the auspices of Minister of Health Khalid Al-Falih. Sponsors of the program were honored with certificates of appreciation for their contributions toward the success of the project.

Pointing out that breast cancer is the second biggest cause of death among the cancer diseases after lung cancer, Bin Saeed said that around up to 70 percent of cases in the Kingdom are detected in the late stages . He pointed out that early detection will have a 97 percent chance for complete recovery.

Recalling that there were 1.67 million breast cancer patients in the world in 2012, the deputy minister said it is expected to treble by the year 2030. He also said that the world has witnessed a drop in the mortality rate among breast cancer patients due to the awareness created among women on the particular subject.

The function was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Health, SABIC executives, representatives from the directorates of Health Affairs and the Zahra Breast Cancer Association.

Princess Haifa bint Faisal, chairman of the Zahra Breast Cancer Society in Riyadh, thanked the ministry and the sponsors for their cooperation in making the campaign a success.

Speaking at the function about SABIC’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, Yaarob A. Al-Thenayan, director of SABIC Global CSR, said the company’s support for the National Campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness was part of its CSR strategy which it has adopted to meet its national obligations and serve society.

SABIC has an agreement with the Zahra Breast Cancer Association to support the purchase of equipment worth more than SR24 million for five mobile clinics for early detection of breast cancer.