CNA-Q and PHCC officials
College of the North Atlantic - Qatar (CNA-Q) concluded its Breast Cancer Awareness Month, bringing messages of awareness and education to its campus community. The main activity for the month was a partnership with Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), to bring its mobile breast screening unit to the College campus.
On October 18, eligible members of the college booked appointments to receive mammograms from the mobile unit, and met with licensed nurses to learn about breast health. “Screen for Life”, the breast and bowel cancer screening programme led by PHCC, recommends that all women between the ages of 45 and 69 showing no related symptoms undergo breast screening. Many students also met with “Screen for Life” staff to learn about early detection. There was an informative presentation by Dr Mohammad Abdel Nabi, Lead Clinical Radiologist, and Cancer Program Division Manager at PHCC, Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, where students were provided with information to bring home to their eligible mothers, sisters and sisters-in-law.
“We have had several members of the CNA-Q community courageously battle breast cancer in recent years, which reinforces the importance of education and early detection,” said Dr Ken MacLeod, President. “While it is important that we encourage women aged from 45-69 and who do not suffer from any breast cancer related symptoms to undergo screening, engaging with students, employees in the education field, such as those who attend CNA-Q, ensures we are informing all generations about the benefits and importance of early detection,” said Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, Cancer Program Manager, PHCC.
In addition to the PHCC mobile screening unit, there were several activities ongoing over the month of October, including a ‘Pink’ walk around campus and a panel of Breast Cancer survivors who shared their stories of bravery. Beyond awareness and education activities, CNA-Q raised over QR9,000 for the Qatar Cancer Society through donations and raffle draws.
