Egypt's breast cancer detection, treatment campaign to kick off Monday

CAIRO – 30 June 2019: The presidential campaign for breast cancer early detection and treatment will be launched for women over 18 years of age for free starting Monday in nine governorates.

The first group of governorates include Alexandria, Port Said, Matrouh, Qalyubia, Beheira, Assiut, Fayoum, South Sinai and Damietta. All services included in the campaign will be introduced for free.

Engineer Aysam Salah, information technology advisor to the Health Ministry, said in press remarks earlier that a number of health centers will be dedicated across the governorates for female check-ups.

About 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary, meaning that they result directly from gene defects.

Health Minister Hala Zayed stressed in April that women should stay away from smoking and alcohol, especially during breastfeeding, maintain healthy weight, and increase the intake of fruits and vegetables.



During the Egyptian Women's Day ceremony held in March, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi proposed establishing a fund to address the challenges faced by the Egyptian women after he reviewed with the health minister the possibility to screen and treat women nationwide for breast cancer.

Zayed said that breast cancer is the second cause of death among Egyptian women, although breast cancer's incidence rate in the country is similar to that in European countries and Japan.

"However, the Egyptian woman prefers to spend money on her children rather than to [spend money] to be treated," Zayed said, adding that the ministry would submit a project plan to comprehensively screen Egyptian women for breast cancer, and treat those who have the disease.