To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Health Departments at the University of Human Development—Medical Laboratory Sciences, Anaesthesia Techniques, Nursing, and Pharmacy—organised a panel discussion featuring several breast cancer specialists. The event, titled ‘Breast Cancer: From Community Awareness to Early Detection and a Science-Based Response’, was held at the Professor Dr Ali Qaradaghi Hall on 27 October 2026.

The panel featured three main speakers: Dr Narin Shaswar, a radiologist and ultrasound specialist; Dr Hawri Shafiq, a breast specialist and diagnostic physician; and Dr Bushra Jabar, Head of the Nursing Department at the University of Human Development, who also moderated the discussion.

The panel aimed to raise awareness about breast cancer and encourage women to undergo early detection and screening. Key topics included clarifying the differences between benign and malignant lumps, explaining the safety of mammograms, and elaborating on the role of genetic factors in developing the disease.

The event highlights a crucial health issue: breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women, though men can also be diagnosed. Consequently, raising awareness and encouraging early detection and diagnosis are vital steps in combating the disease.

The panellists emphasised that the World Health Organisation’s recommendations should be implemented via a nationwide regular screening programme for women, rather than relying on the current local and random checks carried out in certain areas.