Under the auspices of Dr. Ahmed Adel Abdel Hakim, Acting President of Alexandria University, Dr. Affaf Al-Oufy, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development, witnessed this morning, February 16, 2026, the launch of the third event of the Early Detection of Oral Cancer Initiative, organized by the Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, at the Grand Conference Hall of the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University.

In her speech, Dr. Affaf Al-Oufy emphasized that Alexandria University places healthcare and community service at the forefront of its priorities, stressing that early detection is the cornerstone in confronting cancer diseases due to its decisive role in increasing recovery rates and reducing complications. She explained that periodic screening initiatives extend beyond treatment aspects, contributing to spreading health awareness and strengthening social responsibility toward maintaining public health. She also praised the organizational and scientific efforts exerted by the Faculty of Dentistry and expressed her hope that the event would yield practical recommendations to support the development and expansion of early detection services, positively impacting citizens’ quality of life.

For her part, Dr. Reham El-Deebany, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, stated that this event comes within the framework of the presidential initiative 100 Million Healthy Lives, reaffirming the university’s leading societal role and its commitment to supporting the health of Egyptian citizens. She added that early detection of oral cancer is a pivotal step in improving treatment outcomes and reducing complications, reflecting the integration of efforts between academic institutions and health authorities to promote awareness and institutionalize a culture of regular screening. She concluded by affirming that prevention and awareness represent the optimal path toward safeguarding community health and enhancing quality of life.

Dr. Maha Ta‘loub, Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development, noted that in order to broaden the scope of the initiative’s benefits, individuals wishing to undergo early screening may visit the Oral Medicine, Periodontology, Diagnosis, and Radiology Department at the Faculty premises daily from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to receive specialized medical examinations as part of the initiative’s activities. She also reviewed the efforts of the medical convoys organized by the Faculty in cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine, indicating that seven convoys were launched across various areas, including Abis, Borg El Arab, and Amreya, resulting in the detection of 18 tumor cases through the convoys, in addition to 41 other cases identified at Ministry of Health hospitals. She affirmed the Faculty’s commitment, through its Community Service Sector, to raising awareness among students and citizens about the importance of early detection.

Additionally, Dr. Walid Arafat, Professor of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, outlined the details of the newly developed educational program for the early detection of various cancers, targeting internship students to enhance their skills in this vital field. He highlighted the mechanisms of cooperation with the Faculty of Dentistry through the inclusion of its students in the program, thereby strengthening academic and practical integration between the two faculties.