Pink October in the Emirates: A National Campaign Against Breast Cancer

Oracle
1 October 2025
7.39 pm

From 1 to 31 October 2025, the United Arab Emirates will be decked out in pink for the annual Pink October campaign, dedicated to raising awareness of and screening for breast cancer. This year, the initiative is on an unprecedented scale, with the deployment of more than 86 fixed and mobile clinics strategically located across all seven emirates. This massive mobilisation reflects the commitment of the Emirati authorities to making breast cancer prevention a national public health priority.

An Exceptional Free Screening Scheme

One of the key strengths of this 2025 campaign is the complete accessibility of the services on offer. The 86 centres set up across the Emirates offer a full range of screening tests free of charge: clinical consultations with specialists, state-of-the-art digital mammograms and breast ultrasounds.

This scheme combines permanent clinics located in strategic, high-traffic areas with mobile units capable of reaching more remote areas or underserved communities. This hybrid approach ensures that no woman, wherever she lives in the Emirates, is excluded from this vital initiative.

The examinations are carried out by qualified healthcare professionals, including radiologists, oncologists and nurses specialising in women’s health. The results are provided promptly, and if any abnormalities are detected, personalised support is offered for further investigations and treatment.

Extended Opening Hours for Maximum Accessibility

Recognising the work and family commitments faced by women, the authorities have adjusted the opening hours of permanent clinics to make it easier for women to access screening. Most centres are open from 4 pm to 10 pm, enabling working women to be screened after their working day, without having to take time off work.

One notable exception is the clinic in Khorfakkan, in the Emirate of Sharjah, which operates on a morning and afternoon schedule, from 10.00 to 16.00, tailored to the specific local circumstances of this coastal region.

This flexibility in terms of appointment times is a key factor in the campaign’s success, as it removes one of the main barriers to screening: a lack of time. Women can now fit this vital test into their daily routine without disrupting their schedule.

Strategic Locations at the Heart of Everyday Life

The choice of locations for the permanent clinics reflects careful consideration of the community outreach strategy. The selected sites are natural hubs of activity and popular destinations for residents and visitors to the Emirates.

In Dubai, City Walk – one of the city’s liveliest and busiest districts – is home to a screening clinic. This strategic choice makes it possible to reach local residents, expatriates and tourists alike, whilst helping to destigmatise the act of getting tested by integrating it into a leisure and shopping environment.

In Abu Dhabi, one of the main clinics is located in Mushrif Mall, a shopping centre popular with families. Other locations include shopping centres, public parks, residential complexes and community centres in the emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

From Raising Awareness to a Culture of Prevention

The ambition of Pink October 2025 goes far beyond simply raising awareness on a one-off basis. The organisers aim to embed breast cancer prevention firmly and sustainably within the UAE’s health culture. This transformation requires the involvement of all sectors of society: government authorities, the private sector, businesses, educational institutions and citizens.

Many Emirati companies are actively participating in the campaign by allowing their female employees to undergo testing during working hours. Some organisations even go so far as to organise group testing sessions in partnership with mobile clinics.

Schools and universities also play a crucial educational role in raising awareness amongst younger generations of the importance of early detection and regular self-examination. This intergenerational approach ensures that the message of prevention is passed on and becomes part of long-term health habits.

The Vital Importance of Early Detection

The global statistics are clear: when detected at an early stage, breast cancer has a cure rate of over 90%. In the Emirates, as everywhere else, early detection remains the most effective weapon against this disease, which affects thousands of women every year.
The UAE health authorities recommend that all women over the age of 40 have an annual mammogram, and that women with risk factors or a family history of breast cancer should start screening earlier.

Pink October offers an exceptional opportunity to take the plunge and undergo this vital screening in an accessible, free and supportive environment. Women across all the emirates are encouraged to make the most of this campaign to look after their health and to encourage their loved ones to do the same. Try again