Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadeq, President of Cairo University, attended yesterday’s celebration organized by the Breast Hospital at the First Settlement affiliated with the National Cancer Institute to honor a number of women who have recovered from breast cancer. He also witnessed the honorary walkway organized by the hospital for them, coinciding with Pink October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of early detection, encourage regular screening, and provide psychological and moral support to patients and survivors.

The event was attended by Dr. Nadia Zakhary, former Minister of Scientific Research; Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Moaty Samra, Dean of the National Cancer Institute; Dr. Tarek Khairy, Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Research; Dr. Damad Obeid, Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development; Dr. Dalia Kadry, Director General of the National Cancer Institute Hospitals; Dr. Emad Shash, Director of the Breast Hospital; along with professors, institute leaders, and partners from various organizations and community institutions.

In his opening speech, Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadeq expressed his happiness to participate in this celebration that reflects the highest meanings of strength, will, and patience, celebrating survivors who triumphed over the disease through faith and determination, supported by an outstanding medical system led by the National Cancer Institute and the Breast Hospital. He emphasized that the celebration carries a message of hope to every woman that recovery is possible and that early detection makes a difference in the treatment journey. It also conveys pride in Cairo University’s efforts to support women’s health.

The university president extended greetings and appreciation to the survivors who presented an inspiring model, as well as to their families and friends who stood by them. He also thanked the leaders of the Cancer Institute and the Breast Hospital for their outstanding efforts supporting women’s health, every doctor who dedicated their knowledge and effort, and every partner who believed in Cairo University’s role and humanitarian mission.

Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Moaty Samra, Dean of the National Cancer Institute, explained that breast cancer is the most common among women, and Pink October aims to raise awareness about this disease, emphasize the importance of early detection, and enhance health efforts to combat it through awareness campaigns, educational seminars, and workshops to spread community awareness about risk factors, prevention methods, and honoring survivors by sharing their inspiring success stories.

During the event, the dean reviewed the most prominent community service and environmental development activities implemented by the institute in recent years, including organizing medical convoys, awareness campaigns, and early tumor detection in various areas. He also highlighted the institute’s contributions to presidential health initiatives as a key partner and its selection as a member of the National Alliance for Developmental Civil Work. He pointed to the signing of an agreement accrediting the institute as a cooperating central center with the International Atomic Energy Agency, reflecting its regional and international status.

Dr. Emad Shash, Director of the Breast Hospital, noted that the hospital provided treatment services to approximately 4,818 new patients from January to September 2025. The hospital offered a comprehensive mandatory educational program lasting three hours during the first visit, which recorded 7,555 participants including patients and caregivers from 2023 until September, with a 90.6% overall satisfaction rate and 95.8% recommendation to continue. The program had a significant knowledge impact covering symptoms, correcting misconceptions, nutrition, and self-examination. Since participating in the presidential initiative for women’s health from April 2022 to August 2025, the hospital registered 17,315 patients, conducted 6,779 pathology analyses with 6,274 confirmed breast cancer cases, held 21,339 medical committee visits, performed 3,736 surgeries, and provided treatment within the initiative to about 7,148 patients.

It is worth mentioning that the Breast Hospital at the First Settlement is the first and largest academic hospital specialized in breast tumors, established in 2013 and completed its development and expansion project in 2023. It contributes to providing various diagnostic and therapeutic services to hundreds of thousands of breast cancer patients, including surgeries, chemotherapy, targeted and radiation therapy, early detection, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory procedures. The hospital is also a key partner in the presidential initiative to support Egyptian women’s health, offering necessary supportive services such as psychological support, pain management, therapeutic nutrition, and physical therapy.