U.S. State Department Partners With Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Other Countries For Breast Cancer Awareness, Research, First Lady Says

The U.S. State Department has collaborated with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other partners to expand breast cancer education and research in the Middle East, first lady Laura Bush said Monday, the AP/Forbes reports (Pickler, AP/Forbes, 6/12). As part of the U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research, Johns Hopkins University researchers are helping the U.A.E. establish a breast cancer center, and the Houston-based MD Anderson Cancer Center plans to share information with the breast cancer unit at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation also plans to partner in the program (Hoover, Washington Times, 6/13). "This is the first major women's health campaign in the Middle East, and the [U.S.] is proud to be a part of it," Bush said during a speech at the Komen Foundation's 2006 Mission Conference, adding, "Together, these partners will develop awareness campaigns suited to each country; they'll increase research, training and community-outreach efforts; and [they will] help women build the knowledge and the confidence they need to be in charge of their own health" (White House release, 6/12). Bush also said, "By confronting the challenge of breast cancer together, this partnership, which represents the very best kind of public diplomacy, will also help build lasting friendships between our countries" (AP/Forbes, 6/12) Morocco and Jordan are involved in discussions to expand the program, which is organized by the State Department's public diplomacy office and the Middle East Partnership Initiative (Austein, Washington File, 6/12)


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