Lebanon- Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health launched its 2026 national breast cancer awareness and early detection campaign on 8 October, under the slogan "She reminds you of everything, remind her of the mammography." The main change this year is that screening at government hospitals is no longer a one-month push: it now runs year-round.
Who is Covered
Public hospitals offer free screening to Lebanese women aged 40 and over. No symptoms, referral or family history are needed. The ministry recommends a mammogram every year from 40 onward, even when nothing feels wrong. This differs from many Western recommendations, which recommend annual mammograms after 50 for women. This is because nearly 50% of breast cancer cases in Lebanese women are diagnosed in patients under the age of 50. The announcement does not extend free screening to women under 40, or to the large number of residents in Lebanon who are not Lebanese nationals.
Free, but not everywhere
"Free" applies to one track only. At public hospitals, the mammogram costs nothing and a breast ultrasound, if needed, is $20, from 8 October 2026 to 8 October 2027. At private hospitals and medical centers the mammogram is $30 and the ultrasound $20, and that offer lasts four months. The list of participating hospitals is available through the QR code on the campaign poster, and the hotline is 1214.
Why it matters
Lebanon records about 3,800 breast cancer cases a year, roughly 23 percent of all cancers. Around 65 percent are now caught early, but a third are still found late — a share that worsened after the pandemic and the financial collapse pushed women to postpone scans. Dr Nagi El Saghir, who chairs the national awareness committee, called on insurers and social security funds to cover screening for their members.
