Tribune News Network
Doha
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), in collaboration with the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Sidra Medicine and the Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), has intensified nationwide efforts to raise breast cancer awareness and highlight the importance of early detection throughout October 2026.
Held under the slogan “Your Strength Begins with Early Detection”, the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign featured 13 awareness activities across workplaces, schools and community centres. The initiatives were supported by a digital health campaign providing information on risk factors, prevention strategies and how to access routine screening services.
As part of the campaign, the National Cancer Programme organised a central awareness event at the MoPH headquarters. It featured an interactive educational pavilion where resource materials were distributed and visitors received information about the disease, its risk factors, available clinical pathways and early detection services in Qatar.
According to the latest data from the National Cancer Registry, Qatar recorded 567 breast cancer cases, including localised tumours, in 2023. Of these, 562 cases (99.12%) were among women and five (0.88%) among men. By nationality, 162 cases (28.57%) were registered among Qatari citizens and 405 (71.43%) among non-Qatari residents.
Data from the Qatar Cancer Information Centre’s Early Detection Registry (QCID) show that 71,829 mammograms were performed between 2016 and December 2025, with 49,276 women undergoing at least one screening during this period. From January to the end of September 2026, another 7,024 women underwent mammograms under the Breast Cancer Early Detection Programme.
Qatar continues to strengthen regional and international cooperation to improve the quality of early cancer detection programmes and build national and regional capacities. Key initiatives include collaboration with the Gulf Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (GCDC) to implement the Gulf Training Programme and active participation in the Gulf Working Group on Improving the Quality of Early Detection.
Through these platforms, Qatar has shared its successful model for monitoring and evaluation systems and engaging beneficiaries. The country also maintains cooperation with the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Qatar has also contributed to discussions under the WHO-led Global Breast Cancer Initiative, reviewing global survival rate estimates and providing national data and technical observations. A study published in Nature Medicine, which assessed data from 194 member countries, ranked Qatar among the highest in the Eastern Mediterranean Region for women’s five-year net survival rates for breast cancer.
At the national level, the MoPH works with key healthcare partners to continuously improve prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment services. This collaborative approach aims to enhance the quality of care for cancer patients, improve clinical outcomes and support a better quality of life.
The ministry said free breast cancer early detection services are available throughout the year under the National Programme for Early Detection of Breast and Bowel Cancer at Al Wakra, Leabaib, Rawdat Al Khail and Muaither health centres.
It urged women aged 45 to 69 who have no symptoms and have not undergone screening in the past three years to book a free appointment. Eligible women are advised to undergo screening once every three years, as early detection increases the chances of successful treatment and recovery.
Appointments can be booked through direct electronic referrals from physicians, the PHCC’s Nar’aakom app or online service channels. Women can also call the screening hotlines on 800-1112 or 4027-7770 to book directly.
