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Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s GLOBOCAN 2024 estimates, published in September 2026, the UAE recorded approximately 1,774 new cases among women, accounting for 39.1% of new female cancer cases. In Saudi Arabia, the corresponding estimates were 3,865 cases and 36.6%.
For women across the Middle East, breast awareness, timely symptom evaluation, clinical examination and individual risk assessment are important alongside routine screening. Screening recommendations should follow local health authority guidance and individual risk. For example, the Dubai Health Authority’s Periodic Health Screening Guideline advises mammography every two years for women aged 40 and over. Women at higher risk should discuss whether earlier assessment or a different screening plan is appropriate with their physician.
“Breast cancer risk does not suddenly begin at a particular birthday, and two women of the same age may have very different risk profiles,” said Dr. Tonia Frame, Assistant Professor and Director of the Global Health Unit in the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies. “Women should be encouraged to become familiar with the usual appearance and feel of their breasts and to seek prompt clinical evaluation for unexplained breast changes. Discussions about early detection should extend beyond age alone. Family history, inherited susceptibility, previous breast findings and other recognized risk factors can help determine whether a woman may benefit from earlier assessment, specialist referral or additional imaging.”
Why individual risk matters
A risk-informed approach should consider several factors:
- Family history: Breast or ovarian cancer in close relatives, particularly diagnoses at younger ages, cancer affecting both breasts, male breast cancer, or multiple affected relatives may indicate inherited susceptibility. This may warrant earlier risk assessment before age 40.
- Genetic factors: Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants may also require earlier than average-risk screening, starting as early as age 25.
- Breast density: Dense breast tissue can lower the sensitivity of mammography and is independently associated with breast cancer risk. Supplemental imaging such as MRI may be considered in selected women, based on the overall risk, the quality of available imaging and the potential for false-positive results and unnecessary biopsies.
- Previous breast findings: A previous high-risk breast lesion, atypical biopsy result or suspicious imaging finding may change the recommended screening frequency or method. Women with such findings should follow an individualized plan developed with their physician.
Persistent inequalities in access
Across the Middle East, efforts to improve access to breast assessment, imaging and specialist interpretation should consider the needs of different communities. The World Health Organization highlights the importance of public education, timely diagnosis and access to treatment in reducing breast cancer mortality. Clear information in appropriate languages, accessible services and reliable referral pathways can help women seek assessment and complete the recommended follow-up.
Supporting equitable access requires more than awareness campaigns
Priorities include strengthening clinical assessment and referral pathways, training frontline health workers, expanding access to diagnostic imaging and pathology, ensuring timely follow-up after abnormal findings, and monitoring outcomes across different communities.
Where artificial intelligence could support early detection
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being evaluated as a potential support for breast cancer detection in settings where imaging capacity and specialist availability are limited. Depending on the technology and clinical context, AI may assist with triage, image interpretation, workflow prioritization or risk estimation. Its clinical value depends on appropriate validation, reliable referral pathways, diagnostic confirmation, quality assurance and ongoing monitoring for unequal performance across population groups.
“Integrating community health workers, portable AI technology and digital referral pathways within primary health care could potentially help reach women who face geographic, financial or health-system barriers,” said Dr. Tonia Frame. “The most important feature is not the algorithm alone, but the complete pathway linking awareness, initial assessment, referral, diagnostic confirmation and treatment. AI output is not a diagnosis. It must be interpreted alongside the patient’s clinical history, risk factors, examination findings and appropriate diagnostic imaging.”
Translating personal risk into informed screening decisions
For women, a more personalized approach does not mean performing more tests in every case. It means identifying those who may benefit from earlier, more frequent or different forms of assessment while avoiding unnecessary imaging and procedures among women unlikely to benefit.
As part of a shared decision-making conversation, women may wish to ask their physician:
- Based on my age and personal risk factors, when should breast cancer screening begin?
- Does my family history suggest that I need a formal risk assessment?
- Would referral for genetic counselling be appropriate for me?
- If I have dense breasts, how does that affect the interpretation of my mammogram and my overall risk?
- Do previous breast symptoms, imaging findings or biopsy results change my follow-up plan?
- Which screening or diagnostic services are available locally, and what follow-up will be provided if an abnormality is found?
- Would a formal breast cancer risk-assessment help guide my screening plan?
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to advocate for equitable care pathways, from risk assessment and early detection to diagnosis and timely treatment. Across the Middle East, the priority is to help ensure every woman with a concerning symptom or abnormal finding receives appropriate assessment, diagnostic confirmation and treatment without avoidable delays.
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