RIYADH — The Health Ministry has confirmed that the early detection of colorectal and breast cancer programs recorded an increase in the completion rate of those examined during 2022. The Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Program in the General Department of Health Programs and Chronic Diseases recorded an increase in the achievement rate of those screened in early detection of the annual goal, using the fecal immunochemical test (FIT). The ministry stated that the FIT targets the male and female of the age 45 to 75, and also it covers all regions, governorates and health communities. The number of people who took the FIT reached about 27,059 since the beginning of 2022. It is considered an achievement linked to a national strategy aimed at strengthening prevention against health risks. The national strategy also aims to reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases, as well as reduce the number of deaths that result from non-communicable diseases. The ministry works to improve the value obtained from health services, and facilitate patients' access to the service. With regard to breast cancer, the ministry confirmed that the breast cancer early detection program too registered an increase in the completion rate of the examinations from the annual goal, using mammogram. The early detection program targets women who do not have any symptoms of breast cancer, from the age of 40 to 69 years, and it covers all regions, governorates and health communities. The number of women examined through the early detection program for breast cancer reached 59,633, since the beginning of 2022. The ministry indicated that a number of government agencies and the private sector that provide early detection of breast cancer service have contributed to this achievement.
