Doha: The international community strives extensively to strengthen research and laboratory efforts to defeat cancer, spread awareness, ways to prevent the disease, and correct misconceptions about it. For its part, Qatar University (QU) is home to a large number of scientists and researchers dedicated to the fight against cancer.
Some of these researchers recently advocated for more cancer awareness programmes as part of QU College of Pharmacy’s activities to mark World Cancer Day.
Dr. Hesham M. Korashy, Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Dr. Hesham M. Korashy, Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, while explaining exposure to environmental pollutants and cancer risk said, “Although several risk factors and poor daily habits such as smoking, unhealthy food, stress, and genetics have been strongly linked to cancer development, these traditional risk factors alone cannot explain the rapidly increasing prevalence of cancer worldwide.”
Dr. Korashy noted that recently, other factors beyond these conventional risk factors have been explored, such as exposure to environmental pollutants and chemicals. This uncontrolled industrialization are usually associated with emission of pollutants into the air, water, and soil, and consequently, people are exposed to these pollutants unknowingly, continually, and chronically.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared air pollution a major health problem that kills an estimated 7 million people worldwide. WHO data shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air that exceeds the WHO guideline limits containing high levels of pollutions. Studies from both human and animal have supported the impact of exposure to environmental pollutant not only on cancer development, such as lung, breast, and bladder cancers, but also on poor cancer survival and deaths. Although the mechanisms remain unclear, several mechanistic studies have demonstrated the ability of these pollutants to bind covalently to cell DNA causing the formation of DNA adducts and subsequent tumor initiation. Further studies are needed aiming at providing ministry of public health and ministry of municipality and environment with effective intervention primary prevention strategies.”
Dr. Ziad Nasr, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy & Practice Department
Dr. Ziad Nasr, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy & Practice Department said, “As part of raising awareness about cancer, the College of Pharmacy holds several outreach campaigns and activities organized by the Qatar Pharmacy Undergraduate Society with the support of the college’s administration. Pharmacy students invite faculty members and other students within QU health where they distribute pamphlets that include useful information about cancer screening and prevention for attendees, distribute pink ribbons in support of survivors, fighters, and those taken, and sometimes invite motivational speakers to share live testimonials about their experience with cancer.”
Dr. Stephanie Atweh, Teaching Assistant of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice at the College of Pharmacy (CPH).
Meanwhile, Dr. Stephanie Atweh, Teaching Assistant of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice at the College of Pharmacy (CPH) at Qatar University said reminds stakeholders to share knowledge about cancer.
“It is a great opportunity with this year’s World Cancer Day 2022 to remind ourselves as a community of academics, students and health-care professionals about the importance of sharing knowledge. On February 4th, I had the chance to reflect on CPH efforts this year, along with its student council known as ‘Qatar Pharmacy Undergraduate Society (QPhUS)’, on several occasions most importantly the breast cancer awareness campaign as well as the Blue November campaign. The partnership produced a video advocating for people to get screened and gathered 1,200 views.
