Dr Usama Al Homsi
There is currently no cure for cancer! However, successful treatment can result in cancer going into remission, which means that all signs of it have gone. And with research indicating that exercise and eating healthy food can reduce the risk of being diagnosed with cancer, an expert at Hamad Medical Corporation(HMC) says that more than a third of all cancers can be prevented through lifestyle changes.
“We know that not all types of cancer can be prevented, but we know that we can protect ourselves from different types cancer (by 33 percent). With more than a third of all cancers being preventable through lifestyle changes, we call on individuals to take responsibility for reducing their own cancer risk. Simple measures such as eating less red and processed meat, and exercising regularly can lead to a longer and healthier life, and must be seen as the first line of defence against cancer and other associated non-communicable diseases,” said Dr Usama Al Homsi, Senior Consultant with the Oncology Department at HMC’s National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR).
“In addition to avoiding tobacco smoking which is considered the main cause of 15 types of cancers which includes the cancer of libs, tongue, nasopharynx, larynx, lung, stomach, ovaries, and some types of leukaemia, smoking is the cause of 71 percent death from lung cancer. It is also known that drinking alcohol is related to different types of cancer such as: head and neck cancer, liver cancer, colon and breast cancer,” persons recently, he said.
Al Homsi also emphasized the importance of increasing awareness of early signs and symptoms of cancer to detect the disease in early stage is one of the most powerful ways to help in saving lives.
“There are many different types of cancers with different symptoms, which needs to be observed and require medical advice,” said Dr Al Homsi.
Dispelling many myths and misconceptions about cancer that can adversely affect people’s attitude to accessing early diagnosis, treatment and care.
“We also need to raise the awareness about cancers such as: Cancer could be cured, cancer is not always fatal, cancer is not contagious , cancer should not make me feel afraid, cancer is not a punishment from God,” said Dr Al Homsi.
Cancer causes cells to divide uncontrollably. It also prevents them from dying at the natural point in their life cycle. Genetic factors and lifestyle choices, such as smoking, can contribute to the development of the disease.
It may start in one part of the body and then spread to other areas. As a result, cancer can have a severe impact on the surrounding tissues and organs. The cancers with the highest five-year relative survival rates include melanoma, hodgkin lymphoma, and breast, prostate, testicular, cervical and thyroid cancer.
While, cancer is a major national burden to many countries: It is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and many countries around the world have tremendous efforts and spend a large budgets to fight cancer.
The World Cancer Day is organised by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and marked on February 4 and under the campaign theme, ‘We can. I can,’ which was launched in 2016, World Cancer Day aims to draw attention to what can be done to prevent millions of avoidable deaths as a result of cancer.
“It acknowledges that everyone is responsible and has the capacity to address the cancer burden, We can work together to reduce cancer risk factors. We can overcome barriers to early diagnosis, treatment and palliative care,” said Dr Al Homsi.
The global health day also highlights the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices, such as quitting smoking and staying safe in the sun.
“In Qatar, the health authority, which lead by H E Dr Hanan Al Kawari directed by the wisdom of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, have a great impact in the care of cancer patients, which resulted in having the up-to-date technology in diagnosis and treatment of cancer,” said Dr Al Homsi.
“We are proud to have the NCCCR as one of the best cancer centres in the region , having the ability to treat all types of cancer according to the best available modern therapies, which was acknowledged by international accreditation agencies ,in addition to that we are having a successful stem cell transplant program which was started in 2015.
“Our statistics showed that there is average of 12 percent annual growth in the number of Qatari patients receiving cancer treatment in our centre with 72 percent increase since 2013,” he added.
This is in addition to the efforts of the national cancer screening campaign ‘screen for life’ lead by Primary Health care Corporation for early detection of colon and breast cancer for male and females who are 50 years old and above having no symptoms or signs of cancer.
“Also the Qatar cancer society (QCS) and the Ministry of Public Health has worked continuously over the years hand in hand to raise the awareness about cancer,” said Dr Al Homsi.
