As part of Breast Cancer International Awareness Month, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), in collaboration with the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), is continuing to raise the level of awareness about the issue in Qatar through a number of media engagements and outreach activities.
These joint efforts are aimed at raising awareness of breast cancer and increasing public understanding of the importance of prevention and early detection of the disease.
According to the Qatar National Cancer Registry of the Ministry of Public Health, breast cancer represented 38.78% of overall cancer diagnosis in women in Qatar during 2014.
Breast cancer ranks as the top cancer in Qatar (17.42%), followed by colon cancer at 10.55%.
The highest incidence of breast cancer at 16.2% occurs in women aged between 45 and 49.
Dr Mufid El Mistiri, senior consultant, Oncology and head of the Cancer Registry Section, National Cancer Care Centre and Research at HMC and assistant professor of Clinical Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar said: “It is important that we take advantage of Breast Cancer International Awareness Month to work hand in hand with our healthcare partners. Our ultimate goal is to enhance the health and well-being of our community, through fostering a healthy population. This goal cannot be achieved without empowering women and inspiring hope in those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education and support services.”
Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, cancer programme manager at PHCC added: “Raising awareness about the benefits of early screening is a key part of our work at PHCC in leading the nation’s Breast and Bowel Screening Programme, and the first step in treating the disease.
“Cancer is a serious disease that can be prevented and by working with partners such as HMC during October - the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are bringing the discussion to the top of the agenda for women across Qatar.
“Engagement activities with the wider community aim to not only increase awareness, but also the number of lives that we can save.”
HMC is one of the key participants in an annual breast cancer conference led by the Qatar Cancer Society which will be held on October 28 and 29.
The two-day conference will bring together oncologists, surgeons, gynaecologists, psychologists, researchers, health sciences students, and other healthcare professionals from across the world.
HMC has invited six international speakers to share information about up-to-date breast cancer research, practical programmes and models of breast cancer care and screening services.
