NewsDetail
In recognition of World Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is organizing a campaign designed to raise awareness of the importance of early detection and prevention, and increase women’s understanding of the importance of regular screening tests/mammograms to empower them to take control over their breast health.
Throughout the month of October, there will be a number of activities, including lectures workshops and conferences. Additionally, there will be some educational materials, such as leaflets, roll ups and posters, to help increase the public’s knowledge on how to be breast aware and what breast cancer is.
Dr. Salha Bujassoum Al Bader, Senior Consultant at National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR), and Director of Breast Cancer Screening Program at HMC said: “This is a very special month dedicated to learning, supporting, sharing, encouraging, and communicating with women in general and with those affected by breast cancer. The focus of this year’s campaign activity is to reinforce the message ‘Breast cancer is curable if it is diagnosed early’, encouraging women to seek medical advice if they notice changes in their breasts (i.e. lump, a change to a nipple or to the skin or the shape of a breast) and to go for regular screening if they are over the age of 45 and/or have a family history of breast cancer.”
According to Qatar Cancer Registry, breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in Qatar, accounting for 31 percent of cancer cases in women. The risk for women developing breast cancer in the population is 56 per 100,000. Both women and men can be affected by breast cancer. It is important to note that many breast cancers are treatable and patients can survive if it’s diagnosed and treated early.
Ms. Catherine Gillespie, Assistant Executive Director of Nursing at NCCCR stated: “Recognized as one of the leading healthcare organizations in Qatar and the region, HMC’s mission is to provide the safest, most effective and most compassionate care to our population and to provide help and support through early detection and education.”
She added: “We aim to provide our audiences with the knowledge they need through sharing information about breast awareness, talking about mammograms, prevention, and how early detection can save lives.”
Professor Karl Alexander Knuth, Medical Director of NCCCR and Chairman of Cancer Services for HMC said: “All women are at risk for breast cancer. But, when breast cancer is caught early and treated, survival rates can be increased.”
He emphasized the fact that early diagnosis of breast cancer is crucial; treatment is more likely to be successful, if breast cancer is diagnosed at the earliest stage. “The Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great opportunity for us to take the time to reinforce the progress we have made against this disease and work even harder to help all those affected to live their life as comfortable as possible. It is obvious that many great strides have been made in breast cancer awareness and treatment at HMC; nevertheless, there remains much to be accomplished,” Professor Knuth added.
This campaign is part of HMC’s commitment to provide the safest, most effective and compassionate care to every patient. This initiative acknowledges the impact cancer has on the community and how HMC’s healthcare professionals and leaders are committed to continually improving services so that they can best meet patients and their families’ needs both now and in the future.
