Qatar’s National Breast and Bowel Cancer Screening programme, ‘Screen For Life’, is launching a month-long awareness drive to mark the international Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in March, reminding people of the importance of the early detection of cancer in saving lives. Under the tagline ‘Don’t wait for symptoms’, the Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is an initiative formed to inform people that bowel cancer can be a non-symptomatic illness. Therefore, it is paramount not to wait for the symptoms but undergo screening as a precautionary measure.
Bowel cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Qatar and a leading cause of death among men and women in the country. In line with the global Bowel Cancer Awareness month, the ‘Screen For Life’ campaign will involve a series of reminder messages urging both men and women, specifically in the target age bracket of 50-74, to take a proactive approach to their health and book an appointment at one of the three dedicated screening facilities at Al Wakrah, Leabaib and Rawdat Al Khail Health Centres.
The public will be reminded that they can carry out the Faecal Immunochemical Test with ease in the privacy of their own home and they can collect their kit from one of the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) screening centres at Al Wakrah, Leabaib and Rawdat Al Khail Health Centres. The over-arching message of the ‘Screen For Life’ campaign will reinforce the vital role screening plays in the early detection of bowel cancer.
“Our month-long campaign is a great opportunity to further remind people that screening is available now and all-year round, and that there is somewhere people can turn for help and advice,” said Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, cancer programme manager, PHCC.
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month will be marked by a dark blue awareness ribbon, be distributed in the screening clinics, and throughout the month-long awareness community reach activities.
Local
