College of the North Atlantic - Qatar (CNA-Q) has concluded its Breast Cancer Awareness Month programmes, bringing messages of awareness and education to its campus community.
The main activity was a partnership with Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) to bring its mobile breast screening unit to the college campus. On October 18, eligible members of the college booked appointments to receive mammograms from the mobile unit, and met with licensed nurses to learn about breast health.
‘Screen for Life,’ the breast and bowel cancer screening programme led by PHCC, recommends that all women between the ages of 45 and 69 showing no related symptoms undergo breast screening.
Many students also met with Screen for Life staff to learn about early detection. There was an informative presentation by Dr Mohamed Abdel Nabi, lead clinical radiologist, and Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, cancer programme division manager at PHCC, where students were provided with information for their mothers, sisters and sisters-in-law.
“We are proud to partner with PHCC to bring breast screening and awareness activities to our campus. We have had several members of the CNA-Q community courageously battle breast cancer in recent years, which reinforces the importance of education and early detection,” said Dr Ken MacLeod, president of CNA-Q.
“While it is important that we encourage women aged from 45 to 69 and who do not suffer from any breast cancer related symptoms to undergo screening, engaging with students, employees in the education field, ensures we are informing all generations about the benefits and importance of early detection,” said Dr Shaikha.
In addition to the PHCC mobile screening unit, there were several activities ongoing over the month of October, including a ‘Pink’ walk around campus and a panel of breast cancer survivors who shared their stories of bravery.
CNA-Q also raised over QR9,000 for the Qatar Cancer Society through donations and raffle draws.