Doha

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is organising a campaign to raise awareness on the importance of early detection and prevention of breast cancer on the occasion of World Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).

The campaign also aims to increase women’s understanding of the importance of regular screening tests or mammograms to empower them to take control over their breast health.

According to Qatar Cancer Registry, breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in Qatar, accounting for 31% of cancer cases in women. The risk for women developing breast cancer in the population is 56 per 100,000. Both women and men can be affected by breast cancer. It is important to note that many breast cancers are treatable and patients can survive if it is diagnosed and treated early.

Throughout the month of October, there will be a number of activities, including lectures workshops and conferences. Additionally, there will be some educational materials, such as leaflets, roll ups and posters, to help increase the public’s knowledge on how to be breast aware and what breast cancer is.

Dr. Salha Bujassoum al-Bader, senior consultant at National Centre for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR), and director of Breast Cancer Screening Programme at HMC said: “This is a very special month dedicated to learning, supporting, sharing, encouraging, and communicating with women in general and with those affected by breast cancer. The focus of this year’s campaign activity is to reinforce the message ‘Breast cancer is curable if it is diagnosed early’, encouraging women to seek medical advice if they notice changes in their breasts and to go for regular screening if they are over the age of 45 and/or have a family history of breast cancer.”

Catherine Gillespie, assistant executive director of Nursing at NCCCR stated: “HMC’s mission is to provide the safest, most effective and most compassionate care to our population and to provide help and support through early detection and education.”

She added: “We aim to provide our audiences with the knowledge they need through sharing information about breast awareness, talking about mammograms, prevention, and how early detection can save lives.”

Prof Karl Alexander Knuth, medical director of NCCCR and chairman of Cancer Services for HMC said: “All women are at risk for breast cancer. But, when breast cancer is caught early and treated, survival rates can be increased.” He emphasised the fact that early diagnosis of breast cancer is crucial; treatment is more likely to be successful, if breast cancer is diagnosed at the earliest stage.

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