12 June 2006
New U.S.-Middle East Partnership To Fight Breast Cancer
Program to improve disease research and community outreach
Washington — Organizations from the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are working together in a new initiative to fight breast cancer, first lady Laura Bush announced June 11.
The new U.S.–Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research will teach women about the disease and provide them with "the confidence they need to be in charge of their own health," the first lady said at the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation 2006 Mission Conference in Arlington, Virginia.
Organized by the State Department's Office of Public Diplomacy and the Middle East Partnership Initiative, the program is designed to increase breast cancer research, training and community-outreach efforts in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
American organizations, including the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins University, will work with doctors, researchers and breast cancer survivors from the region to develop local awareness campaigns.
Steps already are being taken in the program's countries to fight breast cancer, the first lady said. The United Arab Emirates, with assistance from Johns Hopkins University, is developing an oncology center that will incorporate a women's breast cancer center. Saudi Arabia's King Faisal Specialist Hospital now includes a new breast cancer research unit.
The United States is proud to be part of the first major women's health campaign in the Middle East, the first lady said. "Eradicating breast cancer is a challenge for every country, but one part of the world where this challenge carries special urgency is in the Middle East."
Discussions are under way to expand the partnership to Morocco and Jordan.
For additional information, see U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research and Middle East Partnership Initiative.
