Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), working with the Primary Health Care Corporation, Hamad Medical Corporation, Sidra Medicine and the Qatar Cancer Society, stepped up nationwide breast cancer awareness and early detection initiatives throughout October 2026. The campaign, held under the slogan "Your Strength Begins with Early Detection," featured 13 awareness activities across workplaces, schools and community centres, supported by a digital health campaign covering risk factors, risk reduction and access to routine screening.

The National Cancer Program hosted a central awareness event at MoPH headquarters, including an interactive educational pavilion where organisers distributed resource materials and answered public questions on the disease and available early detection services in Qatar. According to the National Cancer Registry, Qatar recorded 567 breast cancer cases in 2023, including 562 in women (99.12%) and five in men (0.88%). By nationality, 162 cases were among Qatari citizens (28.57%) and 405 among non-Qatari residents (71.43%).

Data from the Qatar Cancer Information Center's Early Detection Registry shows 71,829 mammograms were performed between 2016 and December 2025, with 49,276 women undergoing at least one screening. From January to the end of September 2026, 7,024 women underwent mammograms under the Breast Cancer Early Detection Program.

The ministry said early detection services are available free of charge year-round at Al Wakra, Leabaib, Rawdat Al Khail and Muaither health centres. It urged asymptomatic women aged 45 to 69 who have not been screened in the past three years to book a free appointment, available through physician e-referrals, the PHCC's Nar'aakom App, online channels or the hotlines 800-1112 and 4027-7770.

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