Abu Dhabi launches 2026 cancer screening campaign as screenings rise 280%
In short
Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre has launched this year’s “Check What Really Matters” cancer early detection campaign, which aims to make regular screening a routine health habit. Aletihad reported that cancer screenings in Abu Dhabi rose by more than 280% in 2025 compared with 2024. The campaign focuses on behavioural barriers such as fear of results and misconceptions about screening, and last year’s edition brought together more than 100 partners and delivered 30 events.
Read the full story 1 min read
Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre has launched this year’s “Check What Really Matters” cancer early detection campaign, aimed at promoting early detection and strengthening preventive health behaviour, WAM and Aletihad reported. WAM announced the launch under the name “Check What Really Matters 2026”. [ 1 , 2 ]
Aletihad reported that cancer screenings in Abu Dhabi increased by more than 280% in 2025 compared with 2024, which it described as reflecting growing uptake of early detection. [ 1 ]
The campaign, according to Aletihad, is grounded in the recognition that knowledge alone does not always lead to behaviour change. It cites fear of results, underestimating one’s likelihood of developing cancer and misconceptions about screening as reasons people postpone or avoid testing. The campaign is intended to correct those misconceptions, build confidence in early detection and encourage regular screening as a sustained health habit. [ 1 ]
Aletihad reported that the campaign highlights stories of people who have recovered from cancer and returned to their lives and ambitions, an effort to address fear associated with diagnosis. The campaign was first launched in 2025; last year it brought together more than 100 partners and delivered 30 events, the outlet reported. [ 1 ]
Dr Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, was quoted in the Aletihad report, which is cut off before his remarks are complete. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The campaign is a public health push in the UAE capital aimed at shifting screening from a one-off decision to a sustained habit, which health authorities link to earlier detection of cancer. Its design, which addresses fear and misconceptions rather than awareness alone, reflects a stated view that knowledge by itself does not change behaviour. The reported 280% rise in screenings gives the authorities a basis for continuing the approach this year.
Key facts
- Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre launched this year’s “Check What Really Matters” cancer early detection campaign. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Cancer screenings in Abu Dhabi increased by more than 280% in 2025 compared with 2024, according to Aletihad. [ 1 ]
- The campaign targets behavioural barriers including fear of results, underestimating one’s likelihood of developing cancer and misconceptions about screening. [ 1 ]
- It highlights stories of people who have recovered from cancer and returned to their lives and ambitions. [ 1 ]
- The campaign was first launched in 2025; last year it brought together more than 100 partners and delivered 30 events. [ 1 ]
- Dr Rashed Al Suwaidi is Director General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the reported 280% increase in cancer screenings covers all screening types in Abu Dhabi or specific programmes. Only one document reports the figure and it does not define its scope.
- The planned scale of the 2026 campaign, including the number of partners and events. The documents give 2025 figures only — more than 100 partners and 30 events — and state no 2026 targets.
- The full remarks of Dr Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre. The Aletihad article text is cut off mid-sentence, so his comments are incomplete.