Qatar foundation pushes breast cancer awareness

Qatar Foundation Health, Safety, Security and Environment Directorate (HSSE) raised its pitch on the critical importance of early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer at an even held here. The Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, which started earlier in November will continue throughout the month. Qatar Foundation (QF) said Tuesday. The awareness drive is organised in collaboration with the Primary Health Care Corporation, Qatar Cancer Society, and Al Amal Hospital. It aims to provide women of all ages with comprehensive information about breast cancer risk factors and symptoms, which can lead to its early diagnosis and treatment. At the event held Monday evening, QF hosted a series of informative lectures and workshops to ensure that women developed an understanding of early detection and self-examination methods. Participants were given an opportunity to attend presentations and learn about the inspirational journey of breast cancer survivors. QF HSSE Directorate Health Manager Dr Lamya Bani-Murad said, "Community development is one of the organisation's key pillars. Such campaigns spread awareness on a pressing healthcare issue." Although this initiative is only taking place within QF, we know that one person can make a difference by sharing their knowledge and experience with others, she added. Early detection is critical, she said, since statistics from 2010 to 2011 show a 17% increase in the incidence of breast cancer in Qatar. She emphasised early detection helps in effective treatment of cancer and called on women to take immediate action to prevent future complications. Qatar Cancer Society Head of Health Education Dr Mahassen Sayed Hassan Okasha encouraged women to take a proactive and approach to stay healthy. Thanking QF for the awareness campaign, she said, "It is a testament to the organisations long-term vision and deep understanding of the risks faced by Qatar's community. "One of our key objectives is to deliver the most accurate information to people, since fear and ignorance tend to be the main reasons preventing discovery of cancer in its early stages. "To achieve our goal of spreading awareness and making a difference, we hope to appeal to women at all stages of life. We have succeeded at creating a healthy level of concern, which has motivated more women to undergo regular check-ups. "There is no need to be afraid or anxious, because 85% of the lumps found are benign. If women feel a change in their breasts, they need to go to their nearest health centre to conduct the necessary tests." Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, and it is estimated that one in eight will develop the disease during their lifetime. Dr Okasha said that although relatively rare and more widespread among women, breast cancer in males can and does occur. "For every 100 women, there is one man diagnosed with breast cancer. It is important to refute the incorrect notion that the disease only occurs in women," she warned. Primary Health Care Corporation Specialist Family Medicine Dr Hanan El-Awad said this campaign is a chance to raise the collective voices to improve the general knowledge around cancer and to dismiss misconceptions about the disease. "Screening can help doctors to find some types of cancer because diagnosing cancer in its earlier stages often makes it easier to treat, meaning the chances of recovering are much better. "Breast examinations, clinical breast exams and screenings can save lives. Women who undergo breast cancer screening mammograms have demonstrated significantly reduced deaths from the disease," she said. This campaign is part of an annual plan developed by QF's HSSE Directorate to address the community's health and safety issues.