Breast Cancer Awareness Programme in Jeddah Highlights Early Detection, Women's Resilience and Community Support

 

By Dr. Sameera Aziz 

JEDDAH: Hive Works Foundation organised a Breast Cancer Awareness Programme, sponsored by Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, at Aiglon Restaurant, on October 17, 2026. Held under the supervision of Nosheen Ahmed Waseem, the hospital's Brand Ambassador in Saudi Arabia, the women-focused gathering brought together medical specialists, media professionals and community representatives to promote early detection, emotional wellbeing and compassionate support for women affected by breast cancer.

Watch the Short Reel Featuring Highlights from the Seminar

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The initiative coincided with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed internationally throughout October. The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted “Every story is unique, every journey matters” as its 2026 theme, recognising that every cancer diagnosis carries an individual experience shaped by personal circumstances, healthcare access and support systems.

According to WHO estimates for 2024, approximately 2.4 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer, while 694,000 died from the disease. These figures reinforce the importance of timely diagnosis, effective treatment and accessible healthcare.

In Saudi Arabia, breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimated 3,777 new female breast cancer cases in the Kingdom in 2022, representing 28.3 per cent of cancers diagnosed among women that year. The figures underline the value of continued awareness campaigns alongside Saudi Arabia's expanding healthcare and screening initiatives.

Community Leadership and Inspirational Stories

Vaniza Adil hosted the programme, welcomed participants and introduced the speakers, setting the tone for an evening of medical education and meaningful discussion.

In her address, Nosheen Ahmed Waseem emphasised women's courage, resilience and dignity. Drawing inspiration from Islamic history, she highlighted examples of women who demonstrated extraordinary faith and perseverance despite social pressures and personal hardships.

She stressed that a woman's worth should never be defined by her marital status, whether single, widowed or divorced, but by her character and strength.

Nosheen Waseem also recalled the late Professor Abdullah Hussein Basalamah, a pioneering gynaecologist associated with King Abdulaziz University. She shared his account of how witnessing his sister's death during childbirth had inspired him to pursue medicine and dedicate his career to women's healthcare. Paying tribute to his humanitarian legacy, she emphasised that behind every meaningful pursuit in life lies a personal experience or inspiration that shapes an individual's choices and contributions.

She also shared the moving story of her late children, Hamza and Hanaa, highlighting the importance of hope, determination and family solidarity in the face of cancer-related challenges.

Beyond the Diagnosis: Understanding Women's Experiences

Dr. Sameera Aziz, Saudi media person and businesswoman, delivered a presentation titled “Breast Cancer: Beyond the Diagnosis — Women's Resilience and Community Support.”

Drawing upon her journalistic experience, she explored the emotional, social and psychological consequences of breast cancer, particularly the challenges faced by women living away from their families.

She highlighted how expatriate patients may encounter language barriers, financial pressures, childcare responsibilities and limited support networks during treatment and recovery.

Dr. Sameera Aziz advocated psychological counselling, family involvement and confidence-building support. She also highlighted how advances in cosmetology and aesthetic care can help women regain their confidence and sense of beauty following cancer treatment, subject to appropriate medical guidance.

She further encouraged women to listen with empathy, recognise the emotional needs of breast cancer patients and offer meaningful guidance and support to those affected within their families and communities.

“A medical report tells us about the disease, but a woman's story tells us about her life,” she observed.

Her speech concluded with a message of solidarity: “Every woman deserves dignity, every struggle deserves understanding, and no woman should have to face breast cancer alone.”

Medical Specialists Emphasise Early Detection

Dr. Atlal Abusanad, medical oncologist and professor at King Abdulaziz University, explained the different types and stages of breast cancer, treatment approaches and the importance of informed medical decisions.

She emphasised that each patient's circumstances require individual assessment and that emotional encouragement, accurate information and appropriate healthcare support remain essential throughout treatment.

Dr. Hanaa Tashkandi, consultant surgeon specialising in breast oncology, addressed questions from guests, providing practical medical insights and reinforcing the significance of recognising breast changes and seeking timely professional evaluation.

Kausar Qureshi, wife of the late Professor Abdullah Hussein Basalamah, also contributed to the gathering, sharing reflections on women's health and acknowledging her husband's contributions to medicine and medical education.

Emotional Wellbeing and Survivor Support

Hina Baig, Emotional Intelligence Coach, Consultant and Facilitator, introduced Soulshift Space, an initiative guided by the philosophy “A space for every emotion.”

Through audience interaction, she encouraged women to acknowledge fear, uncertainty, sadness and other emotions without judgement. Her session illustrated how emotional acceptance and psychological support can complement medical care and strengthen personal resilience.

The programme also included an interactive question-and-answer session, enabling attendees to engage directly with specialists.

The Hive Works Foundation team, including Sameer Al Hamid and Wafa Al Hamid, supported the initiative, alongside Fouzia Ansari, Hina Shoaib, Bintul Hassan, Maryam Shahid and Vaniza Adil.

The distribution of pink ribbons and gifts, followed by dinner, added warmth to the gathering and encouraged informal interaction among participants.

Turning Awareness into Action

The event reflected the wider objectives of WHO's Global Breast Cancer Initiative, which advocates earlier diagnosis, reduced delays in medical assessment and comprehensive treatment.

By bringing together medical expertise, personal experiences and community engagement, the Jeddah programme demonstrated how awareness initiatives can extend beyond symbolic campaigns to encourage informed healthcare decisions and practical support.

Its message was clear: Early detection can save lives, compassionate care can restore confidence, and collective responsibility can help ensure that no woman faces breast cancer alone.

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Editor's Note: Dr. Sameera Aziz attended the programme as a guest speaker and covered the event for her independent digital journalism platforms, Sameera Aziz Official and SameeraPen Blog.

About the Author: Dr. Sameera Aziz is a senior Saudi journalist, businesswoman, author, poet, analyst and speaker based in Jeddah. Holding a PhD in Mass Media, she is among Saudi Arabia's pioneering female journalists. Her professional interests include entertainment, business, media, literature and cultural exchange.

Readers are welcome to share their views in the comments section or contact her at consultant.sameera.aziz@gmail.com.