First Lady Sajida Mohamed has called on women to prioritize their personal health and seek immediate medical assistance without delay if they notice any suspicious signs that could indicate breast cancer.

She made these remarks while speaking as the guest of honor at the opening ceremony of a symposium launched yesterday to raise awareness about breast cancer.

First Lady Sajida stated that cancer treatment begins with awareness. Highlighting the importance of recognizing changes in the body, questioning them, and trying to find answers, she noted that breast cancer is a disease that affects many people even though it is diagnosed in an individual.

Sajida stated that early detection increases the chances of starting treatment early and surviving the disease, advising all women not to delay taking the first step regarding concerns about their personal health.

"I want to tell every woman listening to this today not to delay your health concerns. Prioritize your personal health, take the first step, and seek the assistance of a healthcare professional," First Lady Sajida said.

Emphasizing the importance of high-quality mammography, ultrasound, biopsy, and pathology services for diagnosis, she also stated that healthcare professionals' skills must be developed to make good use of technology and new innovations.

Furthermore, she noted that although the Maldives is dispersed across separate islands, this should not serve as an obstacle to providing comprehensive care, and the treatment system must be expanded across all regions.