KUWAIT CITY, Oct 28: The National Cancer Awareness Campaign (CAN) held an interactive workshop Tuesday exploring the link between smoking and breast cancer, as part of its “Pink Lifeline” breast cancer awareness initiative under the patronage of Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah.

Chairman of the Kuwait Society for Combating Smoking and Cancer and CAN Campaign, Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh, told KUNA that the workshop was conducted via Zoom in collaboration with the Regional Alliance for Non-Communicable Diseases in the Middle East and the Arab League for Combating Smoking, affiliated with the Arab Medical Federation. Several experts and specialists participated in the session.

Al-Saleh noted that breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in Kuwait. Dr. Ebtihal Fadel, Head of the Regional Alliance for Non-Communicable Diseases, said smoking is the most prevalent risk factor across many groups, particularly among youth of both sexes, and is closely associated with cancers, especially breast cancer, which is the leading cause of death among women worldwide.

Dr. Amani Al-Basmi, Public Health Consultant and Head of the Cancer Epidemiology and Registry Unit at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center, said Kuwait has the highest smoking rates among males in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, at 41 percent. She added that in 2022, breast cancer recorded the highest incidence rate among all cancers in the Middle East and North Africa, with 49 new cases per 100,000 people, and also led cancer-related deaths in the region.

Dr. Hessa Al-Shaheen, Board Member and Executive Committee Member of the CAN Campaign, highlighted the rising rates of smoking among women in the Arab world, noting that female smokers are more vulnerable to lung, cervical, and breast cancers. She also stressed that smoking negatively affects fertility and can lead to miscarriage. Al-Shaheen added that the Kuwait Society for Combating Smoking and Cancer has addressed the issue by establishing smoking cessation clinics.

Dr. Youssef Al-Shaabi, Assistant Professor at the College of Applied Medical Sciences at Sana’a University, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of smoking among young people targeted by tobacco companies. He called for family and school cooperation, along with promoting sports, scientific, and cultural activities, to counter advertising campaigns aimed at encouraging youth to smoke.