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Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)’s Women’s Hospital will join Globe-athon, a worldwide movement that aims to build community awareness of cancers affecting women, this month. |
Globe-athon, which started as a relay foot race in the US in September 2013, has grown into a worldwide initiative in over 60 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. The aim of the campaign is to reduce the incidence of and deaths from gynaecological cancers by educating the public on their curable and preventable nature.
Gynaecological cancers impact women worldwide, accounting for 19% of the 5.1mn estimated new cancer cases each year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.
As most gynaecological cancers are related to obesity, the campaign includes a pledge taken by participants to walk 10,000 steps each day of September.
As a result, HMC - in partnership with Aspire Park - is holding a community event on September 13. This event, which will take place at Aspire Park near the big screen, from 3pm until 5pm, will include health education, presentations from doctors, exercise tips and a united walk against women’s’ cancers.
All local residents have been encouraged to attend this free community event.
The objectives of the event are to raise awareness of women’s cancers and their signs and symptoms, illustrate the importance of women in Qatari society and the need for women to take good care of their health, promote regular health check-ups and preventative measures that can be taken against gynaecological cancer, and inform the public about the importance of early detection.
The event will link Qatar with the hundreds of Globe-athon events being held worldwide. Throughout September, more than 60 countries and 130 cities will celebrate the second-annual Globe-athon with events varying from walks and dance performances to rowing competitions and educational seminars.
“We are excited to bring the Doha community together to join the Globe-athon movement and raise awareness of women’s cancers – which are on the rise throughout the world,” said Dr Afaf al-Ansari, HMC consultant (Obstetrics and Gynaecology). “Our event will provide a unique opportunity to empower women in Qatar to learn about gynaecological cancers, speak to healthcare professionals and learn about screening. With early detection, gynaecological cancer is often treatable.
“Residents can also take the Globe-athon STEPtember Pledge, which is a unifying action that anyone, regardless of country or language, can participate in to help raise awareness of gynaecological cancers.
“Through the pledge, residents can commit to taking 10,000 steps each day in September. The pledge provides an opportunity to increase physical activity and promote health, as risk of a variety of gynaecological cancers has been linked to obesity. Also, WHO recommends 10,000 steps daily for better health.”
One can visit globeathon.com to join the movement, take the Globe-athon STEPtember Pledge, access educational resources and learn about events taking place around the world. Also, one can follow Globe-athon on Facebook and Twitter.
Meanwhile, women experiencing gynaecological-related problems have been advised to seek professional medical advice at HMC’s Women’s Hospital.
