Breast Cancer Most Common Cancer in Qatar; 1 in 8 Women will Develop Breast Cancer
Under the theme ‘Together We Can Fight Women’s Cancer’, the breast cancer and gynecological cancer teams at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) recently held the first joint conference on breast and gynecological cancer in Qatar.
Dr. Salha Bujassoum, Senior Consultant in Hematology/Oncology at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) NCCCR said conference attendees shared ideas and engaged in discussion with the goal of enriching the fields of breast and gynecological cancer treatment and research.
“We are delighted with the success of this first-ever joint breast and gynecological cancer conference in the State of Qatar. I believe our collaboration with the obstetrics and gynecological team will contribute greatly to providing a better cancer service for women in Qatar and will help to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030 priority of eradicating all types of cancer in Qatar,” said Dr. Bujassoum.
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Qatar; about one in eight women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. Although breast cancer survivorship has tripled over the past 60 years, our joint efforts will have an even greater impact on the survival rates for these types of cancers,” added Dr. Bujassoum.
Conference sessions focused on the translational aspects of breast and gynecological cancer research, advanced prevention strategies, survivorship care, and strategies for reducing the risk of this deadly disease. Dr. Bujassoum said HMC is committed to providing safe, effective, and compassionate care to each and every one of its patients, and she said the conference provided an opportunity to share the latest research and advances in breast and gynecological oncology.
“The conference focused on recent and relevant topics in the fields of breast and gynecological cancer, including genomics, personalized medicine, and targeted therapies. Conference speakers provided updates in research and best practices all aimed at improving patient outcomes,” added Dr. Bujassoum.
The conference also included a number of hot topics related to breast and gynecological cancer with a focus on the latest updates in the management of these types of women’s cancers through multidisciplinary and integrated approaches.
Speaking about the collaboration between the breast and gynecological teams, Dr. Hind El Malik, Consultant Medical Oncologist at NCCCR said closer collaboration between different disciplines is the key to accelerating and promoting research breakthroughs and new treatments.
“We are very proud to have been able to organize this important educational activity in collaboration with the breast cancer team and highlight the importance of raising the profile of women’s cancers. It’s important that we take advantage of these joint activities to work hand in hand with our colleagues across HMC. Our ultimate goal is to enhance the health and well-being of our community in general and women’s health in particular through fostering a healthy population. This goal cannot be achieved without collaboration, team work, and a group effort,” said Dr. El Malik.
The three-day conference provided participants with a better understanding of the different types of cancer affecting women, as well as new treatment and screening options. The conference was attended by healthcare professionals, researchers, and oncology experts, and featured speakers from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
