Within the framework of the League of Arab States' commitment to women's health in the Arab region as a strategic priority for achieving gender equality, and as a cornerstone of building a healthy and sound society, Arab Breast Cancer Awareness Day is observed each year on 1 October under the framework of the "Pink Purse: A Regional Initiative for Arab Women's Health." This initiative was endorsed by the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit at its fourth ordinary session, as well as by the Council of Arab Health Ministers at its 51st ordinary session. It calls for encouraging investment and mobilising the resources necessary to provide breast cancer awareness and early detection services, ensure access to treatment, and offer women affordable early detection services across the Arab region.
Breast cancer remains one of the most common forms of cancer among women. Against this backdrop, the General Secretariat underscores the importance of raising awareness about breast cancer, given its profound impact on the family life of patients and its repercussions for all family members. Awareness, early detection, and community support are asserted as essential pillars in the fight against breast cancer.
This year's Arab Breast Cancer Awareness Day is being marked under the theme #CheckNow, highlighting the fundamental role of early detection in prevention and in improving recovery prospects. The occasion serves as an opportunity to renew our collective commitment to supporting breast cancer patients and survivors, fostering a culture of solidarity and hope, and advancing healthcare, diagnostic, treatment, and psychological support services for women. It also reinforces the importance of promoting self-examinations, regular mammogram screenings, and health education for women, in line with the Riyadh Declaration on Arab Women's Health issued in October 2017.
As part of this commitment, the General Secretariat will organise a breast cancer early detection campaign for its female staff and workers, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Population of the Arab Republic of Egypt, from 2 to 6 November 2025 at the General Secretariat headquarters. This campaign is held annually as a demonstration of the General Secretariat's dedication to commemorating Arab Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
