Muscat – The Ministry of Health has launched a national awareness campaign for the early detection of breast cancer under the slogan ‘Be Reassured’, as part of Pink October, the global breast cancer awareness month.

Launched on Sunday by the ministry’s National Centre for Women and Child Health, the year-long campaign will include awareness programmes, educational activities and initiatives across Oman.

The campaign aims to promote a culture of prevention and early detection, improve public awareness of breast health and encourage women to make use of early screening services according to the age groups and criteria approved under the national programme.

Dr Sami bin Sulaiman Al Farsi, Director General of the National Centre for Women and Child Health, presided over the launch ceremony, which was attended by ministry officials, directors and heads of women and child health departments in the governorates.

The launch reviewed the development of Oman’s breast cancer early detection programme. It also featured a discussion on recovery and messages of hope, as well as presentations on the campaign’s objectives, target groups, implementation mechanisms and awareness materials.

Dr Badriya Al Qasabi, Head of the Early Detection of Women’s Health-related Diseases Department, outlined the details of the national campaign, while health education specialist Mona Al Shakiliya presented the campaign’s awareness materials.

The programme also highlighted breast cancer from a medical perspective and featured the personal experience of Hafiza Al Ameriya, who shared her journey of recovery and her message of hope in a session titled ‘When Hope Prevails’.

Over the next year, the campaign will be implemented in partnership with various sectors through awareness and educational programmes designed to turn health awareness into sustainable practices and encourage women to take proactive steps towards early detection.

The campaign also seeks to correct misconceptions about breast cancer, improve women’s understanding of signs and changes that require medical assessment, and strengthen the role of families and communities in supporting women’s health.

Women’s health has received strong national attention, with the Council of Ministers directing in January 2025 the launch of a national programme for the early screening of the most common cancer among women.

The directive included the establishment of seven early detection units covering different governorates, in a strategic step to expand access to screening services and provide more comprehensive and sustainable early detection.

Breast cancer remains one of the major health challenges affecting women, but early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes. Detecting changes at an early stage increases the chances of effective treatment and timely access to appropriate care.