DOHA: ‘Screen for Life’, a national programme that promotes awareness and early detection of cancer in Qatar, has screened more than 4,000 people for breast and bowel cancer within five months, said a senior official.
Between February and July, a call centre dedicated to the programme invited 21,651 people for breast and bowel cancer screening.
A total of 14,579 people were scheduled to be screened and 4,243 underwent check-ups, Dr. Shaikha Abu Shaikha, Manager, Cancer Programme Division, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), told The Peninsula.
“Since the launch in January 2016, the programme has made significant achievement in spreading awareness in the community, and we are moving at a very fast pace in a short time frame, making remarkable progress,” she said.
‘Screen for Life’ invites all women aged 45-69 even without any breast cancer symptoms to undergo screening. For bowel cancer screening, all men and women aged 50-74 and without any symptoms are urged to make appointments for screening.
They are requested to call 8001112 and schedule an appointment at Al Wakrah or Leabaib health centre or in the Mobile Screening Unit dedicated to mammograms.
PHCC has taken the role in creating awareness about breast and bowel cancer screening and providing services.
“PHCC has assigned a dedicated team which works tirelessly throughout the year to spread messaging to promote breast and bowel screening,” said Dr Shaikha. “Activities to date include full-fledged messaging campaigns, outreach activities, awareness lectures and workshops, among others.
“PHCC has also collaborated with several institutions in Qatar to expand our outreach,” said Dr. Shaikha. “In parallel to the inauguration of the health centres in Al Wakrah and Leabaib, we have launched a call centre dedicated to reaching out to the community and inviting eligible people to take appointment and undergo screening for breast and bowel cancer on scheduled dates and time,” she added.
According to the Ministry of Public Health, among the incidence of cancer in Qatar, breast cancer accounted for 17.42 percent and bowel cancer 10.55 percent.
“Breast cancer is a preventable condition and it is important that women are aware that early screening can save their lives. “By detecting cancerous cells before they have a chance to progress into later stages, it is much easier to treat and with nearly 100 percent survival rate,” said Dr Shaikha.
Organisations line up activities
As an effort to help early detection of breast cancer, various organisations have come together to mark World Breast Cancer Month.
Breast cancer is by far the commonest cancer in women, accounting for 31 percent of cases in the country, according to Qatar Cancer Registry.
Worldwide, early detection of breast cancer has helped reduce the risk associated with the disease. The risk for women developing breast cancer is 56 per 100,000 people in Qatar. Majority of them are under 60, with a high proportion of women in advanced stages of the disease.
Al Wakrah Hospital (AWH) held indoor and outdoor activities, including lectures, workshops and interactive sessions for the public and staff to provide knowledge and tools needed for people to take charge of their health. The activities also raised awareness about the importance of early detection in saving lives.
“Experts and healthcare professionals around the globe agree that when it comes to breast cancer survival rates, early detection is critical. We advise women of any age to adopt preventative health strategies such as following a healthy diet, getting regular check-ups and having yearly mammograms,” said Dr Mohamed Alloub, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, AWH.
Meanwhile, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels organised an awareness workshop for its staff. It was conducted by Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) at Al Mirqab Boutique Hotel to inspire and support the participants in leading a healthy lifestyle that will help prevent breast cancer.
Sidra Medical and Research Center (Sidra), in cooperation with QCS, will hold tomorrow an awareness lecture and workshop for patients and visitors at Sidra Outpatient Clinic to help recognise signs and symptoms of the disease through a model demonstration.
Sidra has also teamed up with Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) to host a lecture for its staff. The session will cover information about breast cancer and highlight screening options available in Qatar. A PHCC team will also provide information on how to schedule an appointment for mammogram.
Similar activities are also planned across other HMC’s hospitals, and will feature interactions and comprehensive discussions with audiences.
