An emblem with a blue-coloured ribbon folded into a loop emphasising the awareness about bowel/colon cancer.
Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) encourages people above the age of 50 to undergo regular screening for bowel cancer as its helps early detection and saves lives. Early screening can detect cancer before it develops into later stages that are harder to treat, says Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, Cancer Programme Manager at the PHCC.
“Your choices can make an impact on your health — and bring peace of mind to you and your family. Even if you have no obvious symptoms, if you are aged between 50 and 74, we recommend you undertake bowel cancer screening on an annual basis, and now, you do not even need to make an appointment to see a health specialist, testing can be performed in the privacy of your own home,” Dr Shaikha told The Peninsula.
“You can collect a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit with full instructions on how to collect a specimen that can then be returned to your nearest PHCC lab for testing,” she added.
The kit detects small amounts of blood hidden in the stool which may indicate polyps or cancer in the bowel.
March is International Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and bowel cancer refers to cancers found in the colon, rectum, small bowl or anus. According to the Colon Cancer Alliance, the survival rate from bowel cancer rises to 90 percent when caught at an early stage. According to the Ministry of Public Health In Qatar, among the incidence of cancer in Qatar, bowel cancer accounts for 10.55 percent.
Dr Shaikha also insists that it is important to know the symptoms of bowel cancer as well as to discuss about it with a physician.
“While bowel cancer can develop without any discernible symptoms, it is important to pay attention to the signs and discuss your issues with your healthcare provider,” she said.
“It is important that the conversation about bowel cancer and other forms of the disease becomes part of everyday life so that the detection and treatment can take place as early as possible,” she added.
Symptoms for bowel cancer will include blood in stool or rectal bleeding, a change like such as diarrhea or constipation, in bowel habits lasting two weeks or more, persistent cramps, gas, or pain, feeling that your bowel won’t empty completely, unexplained iron deficiency aneamia, progressive, unintentional weight loss, weakness or fatigue and nausea or vomiting.
Meanwhile, the PHCC is leading a month-long awareness drive across the country titled 'Ask Me About Bowel Cancer Screening’ with aim to highlight the importance of bowel cancer screening to coincide with International Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.
As part the campaign PHCC’s National Breast and Bowel Screening Program ‘Screen For Life’ throughout March will educate the public about benefits of early detection and encourage eligible men and women to take a bowel cancer screening.
Also the PHCC call center provides an opportunity for people to talk with trained staff and ask questions about the screening program and ways to book an appointment.
