KUWAIT: Since its establishment in 2006, Cancer Aware Nation (CAN) has been initiating its campaigns in the month of October, which Chairman Dr Khalid Al-Saleh has aptly named the “blessed month”. On Sunday, CAN hosted a press conference to launch this year’s activities centered around breast cancer awareness under the theme “your health is your capital”. The event was held under the patronage of Social Affairs and Family Affairs Minister Sheikh Firas Al-Sabah.

Dr Saleh emphasized that the annual increase in cancer discovery rates in Kuwait and GCC countries, ranging from 1 percent to 5 percent, can be attributed to the heightened social awareness about the importance of early detection. He further revealed that 36.9 out of every 100,000 people are affected by cancer, and statistics from the Kuwait Cancer Control Center indicate there are 640 cases of breast cancer among Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti women. Dr Saleh announced that this year, for the first time, there will be activities organized in Mubarakiya in mid-October.