Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population has announced a substantial increase in the detection of breast cancer at its early stages. According to the ministry, the percentage of breast cancer cases detected in the first and second stages rose to 70% in 2026, up from 34% in 2018. This represents a 105.8% increase over the eight-year period. The improvement is attributed to the government's efforts to enhance early detection and improve the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment services for tumors.
The Ministry of Health and Population also reported a decline in referrals for advanced diagnostic tests. The percentage of referrals for such tests dropped to 4.5% in 2024 and 2025, down from 8.5% in 2020 and 2021. This 47.1% decrease reflects improved accuracy in detection and diagnosis at early stages. Furthermore, the ministry noted a 15% reduction in breast cancer mortality rates in 2026 compared to the baseline set in 2022.
The Egyptian government has made significant investments in training healthcare professionals to improve breast cancer detection and treatment. A total of 30,098 healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, radiology technicians, and pathologists, have received training. An additional 22,011 healthcare workers have undergone retraining. Moreover, 118 surgeons have been trained in clinical breast examination as part of a trainer-of-trainers program in collaboration with international centers.
The Ministry of Health and Population has also focused on upgrading infrastructure and research capabilities. Several healthcare facilities and laboratories have been developed or upgraded to support breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Egypt has also strengthened its international scientific collaborations in the fields of diagnosis, treatment, and research.
In a related development, Egypt launched the "Cairo Call to Action on Breast Cancer" during the 72nd session of the World Health Organization's Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean. The initiative aims to support regional efforts to combat breast cancer by promoting early detection and improving treatment outcomes.
The Egyptian government's efforts to improve healthcare extend beyond breast cancer. The "Mother and Fetus Care Initiative," launched in March 2020, targets approximately 2.5 million pregnant women annually. The initiative focuses on early detection and treatment of infectious diseases transmitted from mother to child, including HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis.
According to the Ministry of Health and Population, the "Mother and Fetus Care Initiative" has shown positive results. The number of beneficiaries from screening and testing services increased to 518,873 in 2026, up from 388,094 in 2020. This represents a 33.7% increase. Additionally, the initiative has led to a decline in detected cases of infectious diseases.
Key points
- The detection rate of breast cancer in its early stages in Egypt has increased to 70% in 2026 from 34% in 2018.
