Breast Cancer a Serious Concern in Saudi Kingdom
Today in Jeddah, Dr. Eman Al-Ayesh, an internist at King Fahd Hospital, presented a forum on breast cancer to girls in intermediate and high school at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “An alarmingly high 22.6% of cancer cases in Saudi Arabia are diagnosed as breast cancer and 70% of the cases we treat are in late stages which decreases chances of recovery and increases the cost of treatment” said Al-Ayesh.
The lecture encouraged self-examination and early mammograms. In Saudi Arabia, 20% of breast cancer cases arise before the age of 40, unlike in the U.S. where it is only 7%. Those who held the forum are hoping the young girls will relay these messages to the older generation, noting how important early detection is.
Brandie Gordon
