Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population has provided early cancer screening to more than 19.4 million people since June 2023. It has also examined more than four million pregnant women since March 2020 under separate initiatives.
The cancer screening programme targets lung, prostate, colorectal and cervical cancers for those aged 18 and above. It forms part of the “100 Million Health” initiative and starts with an electronic questionnaire to assess risk factors.
People with suspected cancer receive further tests, and confirmed cases are reviewed by medical committees for treatment plans. Negative cases are advised to schedule regular follow-ups.
Khaled Abdel Aziz, executive director of the cancer screening initiative, said the programme has identified many cases early and referred tens of thousands to smoking cessation clinics. The ministry did not release figures on confirmed diagnoses.
Separately, more than four million pregnant women have received free examinations under the Maternal and Foetal Health Initiative since March 2020. The service screens for hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis, offers vaccinations and monitors mothers and newborns for 42 days after birth.