The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) of Qatar, together with key health institutions including the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Sidra Medicine, and the Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), has intensified efforts to raise breast cancer awareness across the country during October 2026. The campaign, operating under the slogan "Your Strength Begins with Early Detection," featured 13 activities conducted in workplaces, schools, and community centers, alongside a comprehensive digital outreach program focusing on risk factors, prevention strategies, and information about routine screening services.
A central event organized by the National Cancer Program was held at the MoPH headquarters, featuring an interactive educational pavilion. Attendees received resource materials, engaged with experts addressing questions on breast cancer risks, and accessed information on clinical services and early detection pathways available within Qatar.
According to data from the National Cancer Registry, Qatar recorded 567 cases of breast cancer in 2023, with 562 cases occurring in women and five in men. Among these, 162 cases involved Qatari nationals (28.57%), while 405 cases were reported among non-Qatari residents (71.43%). Data from the Qatar Cancer Information Center’s Early Detection Registry (QCID) shows that between 2016 and December 2025, a total of 71,829 mammograms were performed, with 49,276 women receiving at least one screening during this period. From January to September 2026 alone, 7,024 women underwent mammography through the Breast Cancer Early Detection Program.
Qatar continues to enhance its early cancer detection capabilities through regional and international collaborations. The country partners with the Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and Control (GCDC) on initiatives such as the Gulf Training Program and participates actively in the Gulf Working Group on Improving the Quality of Early Detection. Qatar has contributed its model for monitoring and evaluation systems in these forums, helping to inform regional approaches. Further international cooperation includes collaboration with the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Qatar also took part in discussions under the WHO-led Global Breast Cancer Initiative, providing national data and technical input on global survival rates. A recent study published in Nature Medicine ranking breast cancer survival rates in 194 countries placed Qatar among the highest in the Eastern Mediterranean Region for five-year net survival in women.
Domestically, the MoPH maintains strategic partnerships with health sector entities to continuously develop services related to cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. This collaborative strategy aims to improve patient outcomes and quality of life for those affected by cancer.
Early detection services for breast cancer are offered free of charge year-round through the National Program for Early Detection of Breast and Bowel Cancer at several health centers, including Al Wakra, Leabaib, Rawdat Al Khail, and Muaither. The Ministry encourages women aged 45 to 69 who have not had a screening in the past three years and are asymptomatic to schedule free mammograms. Appointments can be booked via physician referrals, the PHCC’s Nar’aakom App, online platforms, or through dedicated screening hotlines. The Ministry underscores the critical role of regular screening to improve the chances of successful treatment and recovery.