Breast cancer screening advocacy workshops in Jordan

Jordan Breast Cancer Program (JBCP) of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center, Jordan

As part of the Breast Cancer programme, this project was awarded a grant for early detection of breast cancer in October 2021.

Project objectives

The goal of this project was to raise breast cancer awareness by organising four advocacy workshops focused on screening and early detection. These workshops trained and empowered champions from various sectors — including the Ministry of Health, universities, civil society organisations, and the media — equipping them to lead awareness activities within their communities.

Project description

During the project implementation, four advocacy workshops were carried out.

The first workshop, titled How to Conduct Mass Campaigns, focused on enabling participants to understand the importance and value of mass awareness campaigns. A total of 21 attendees learned how to develop, design, and launch impactful campaigns using effective messaging and visually engaging communication tools, as well as how to measure campaign success.
The second workshop, titled Advocacy for Equitable Early Detection Services, brought together 20 key health and hospital directors, policy makers, and breast cancer experts from the Ministry of Health. They discussed the major challenges facing early detection services in the southern governorates and collaborated on solutions to improve service quality.
The third workshop, titled Advocacy with Media, aimed to train 20 journalists in advocating for affordable and equitable access to health services, with a particular emphasis on public awareness about breast cancer. The training covered storytelling techniques, investigative reporting, and the use of multimedia to effectively engage the public.
The fourth workshop, titled Breast Cancer Early Detection Services Equity and Affordability Advocacy, convened 35 participants from various fields - including policymakers, healthcare providers, donors, and academics - for an open discussion on the social, cultural, and economic barriers limiting Jordanian women's access to early detection services. The group explored policy improvements and resource mobilisation strategies to enhance service availability and usage.

Key numbers

96 key stakeholders trained and engaged on breast cancer screening advocacy

500,000 individuals reached through activities carried out during the project

Impact

After the end of the grant, the advocacy and capacity building initiatives it supported have continued to deliver results. In the southern region, the collaboration initiated through the advocacy workshop strengthened coordination among health facilities, leading to more integrated service delivery and the acquisition of new diagnostic machines, which has significantly improved access to early detection services. Discussions on affordability and equity resulted in the publication of an article that continues to shape policy dialogue and guide stakeholders in advancing equitable access to breast cancer screening. In parallel, the specialised media training built a cadre of journalists who remain engaged in cancer control, many of whom have since produced impactful stories and media pieces that sustain public awareness of breast cancer. These lasting outcomes demonstrate how the initiative’s focus on advocacy, community engagement and capacity building generated ripple effects—strengthening the health system, informing policies, and embedding breast cancer as a national health priority well beyond the project’s lifecycle.