Jordan Launches Breast Cancer Early Detection Program with Pink Ribbon

A joint national initiative for early detection of breast cancer has been launched in Jordan by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Planning, the King Hussein Cancer Center, the King Hussein Cancer Foundation, and USAID through the Private Sector Project for Women’s Health (PSP).

Breast Cancer is a major cancer and the second most common cause of death in women in Jordan. The incidence of breast cancer is no higher than other countries, but over 70 percent of women present in the late stages when survival rates are low. The goal of the national program is to reverse the current situation within the next 5 years, and aim to find 70 percent of cases in the early stages. This will be achieved by finding symptomatic cases while building a system for screening through mammograms.

The Ministry of Health has been preparing for a Breast Cancer Detection program and by end of 2006, MOH clinics and hospitals will have over 900 staff trained to teach self breast exams, conduct clinical exams and refer possible cases for ultrasound or mammography. The Private Sector Project for Women’s Health, in collaboration with the non-profit King Hussein Cancer, Center is training over 450 private physicians to provide breast exams and refer potential cases to the Cancer Center or private facilities.

A major joint communications initiative was launched in October, 2006 - global Breast Cancer month - under the sign of the “Pink Ribbon." National and local mass media including TV spots and talk shows, radio spots, billboards and articles with facts and motivational messages emphasized the need to take action. Under the USAID/PSP project to 2010, to date an outreach program has reached 450,000 women out of a planned 1,100,000 women in their homes to teach self breast exam and refer patients to King Hussein Cancer Center, public clinics and private doctors.

Private sector companies, such as Fastlink and Roche, have pledged to support the effort.