More than 18.1 million citizens aged 18 and over have benefited from Egypt’s presidential initiative for the early detection of lung, prostate, colon, and cervical cancers since its launch in June 2023, the Ministry of Health announced on Friday.
The scheme operates under the broader umbrella of the “100 Million Healthy Lives” national health initiative.
Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, explained that the initiative provides free services through a straightforward screening process. This begins with an electronic questionnaire designed to identify potential symptoms and risk factors. Following this, suspected cases are immediately referred for further medical examinations and treatment.
Abdel Ghaffar urged citizens to visit their nearest health unit or access the Ministry of Health’s dedicated website to complete the initial questionnaire. Those who test negative are advised to continue with regular follow-ups, whilst positive cases are referred to specialised medical committees to determine the most suitable treatment plan.
Khaled Abdel Aziz, Executive Director of the Presidential Initiative for Early Detection and Treatment of Cancers, stated that the programme has successfully identified numerous cancer cases at an early stage, significantly improving recovery rates.
He added that tens of thousands of citizens have also been referred to smoking cessation clinics as part of ongoing efforts to protect public health and reduce cancer risks.
