HMC stepping up colorectal cancer awareness campaign

Colorectalcancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Qatar and aleading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women in thecountry, according to the Hamad Medical Corporation.“Colorectalcancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Qatar.To reduce the number of cases we are doubling our educational andawareness efforts and highlighting preventive measures,” Dr MohamedAbunada, lead colorectal surgeon at HMC said.“We are also workinghard to improve the treatment offered to people diagnosed with thedisease by implementing the latest and best surgical techniques,” DrAbunada said.Statistics released by the Ministry of Public Health’sQatar National Cancer Registry indicate that among all male cancer casesin Qatar in 2015, colorectal cancer was the second most common with 94new cases reported, followed by leukaemia with 65 new cases.Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the colon or rectum.Alsoknown as bowel or colon cancer, most colorectal cancers begin as agrowth called a polyp on the inner lining of the colon or rectum.Polyps are often non-cancerous, but some can develop into cancer.Hesaid colorectal cancer symptoms may not be immediately apparent but caninclude a change in bowel habits, for example, diarrhoea orconstipation, a change in stool consistency, rectal bleeding or blood inthe stool, persistent abdominal discomfort and belly pain, weakness andfatigue, and unintended weight loss.National Colorectal CancerAwareness Month is held every year in March, and this year the NationalCentre for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) is using the occasion tohost activities designed to raise public awareness of colorectal cancer.