The Ministry of Public Health and its partners are carrying out a public awareness campaign on breast cancer during October as part of International Breast Cancer Awareness month to educate and raise awareness on the importance of early detection of breast cancer in the country.

During the month-long campaign, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) Sidra Medicine and many other partners are organizing awareness activities including community activities, conference, lectures, workshops and educational materials distribution. A number of buildings will light up in pink this evening in a show of solidarity with cancer survivors and their families.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. According to 2016 Qatar National Cancer Registry (QNCR) at the Ministry of Public Health, breast cancer constitutes 17 percent of cancer cases in Qatar, 40 percent of cancer cases among females of all nationalities and about 35 percent of cancer cases among Qatari females.

Data from the Registry showed that breast cancer survival rate over the years 2013-2016 was 89.07 percent.

With regard to the National Cancer Early Detection Program, PHCC data showed that 31,289 women were screened for breast cancer between February 2016 to August 2019.

Health providers in Qatar and their partners encourage women aged 45 to undergo breast cancer early screening. They educate and empower women of their breast health by knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and setting an annual mammography screening appointment. They also encourage healthy lifestyles, because physically active women are less likely to have breast cancer as they maintain a healthy weight.

Public health providers in Qatar, such as the Ministry of Public Health, HMC, PHCC, Sidra Medical and their partners such as the Qatar Cancer Society, are working together to take care of cancer patients and provide the best health services for them.

Source: QNA

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Sumaica Asad

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