Doha: Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has launched ‘Blossom’ campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer in the month of October.
‘Blossom’ is a national campaign targeting all categories of Qatari society throughout the month, and aims to emphasize importance of periodic examination for early detection and spreading the culture of healthy life style to prevent. The campaign will also highlight health services available in Qatar, activating QCS’s role in providing psychological and financial support to cancer patients.
Professional Development and Scientific Research Department at QCS, Dr. Hadi Mohammed Abu Rasheed said that according to latest Qatar National Cancer Registry (QNCR) of the Ministry of Public Health, in 2016 there were 266 breast cancer newly diagnosed cases in Qatar, 3% of all newly diagnosed cases in 2016 were males and 97% were females and 25.94% of the newly diagnosed cases in 2016 were Qataris and 74.06% were non-Qataris.
Dr. Abu Rasheed said, “In 2016, the cumulative risk for women between 0-74 years old is 8.4%, which means almost one out of 12 women will develop breast cancer before 75 years old in Qatar, pointing that almost 64% of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer in Qatar in 2016 were diagnosed in early stages (stage 1 or stage2).”
“According to QNCR, from 2013 to 2015 females breast cancer survival rate was 82.3%, while in the period from 2013 to 2016 the survival rate increased to 89.07%, which means that 89.07% of females diagnosed with breast cancer between 2013 and 2016 were still alive up to 2016,” he added.
He noted that QCS organizes virtual workshops for health care providers about breast cancer.
Head of Health Education Department, Heba Nassar said, “Blossom campaign this year focuses on awareness of breast cancer, signs and symptoms, risk factors, prevention methods, early detection, and the importance of community support for people living with breast cancer. QCS has launched the awareness campaign via its electronic platforms within the framework of preventive measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, by spreading awareness messages and videos related to the definition of breast cancer.”
She added, that in addition, several virtual workshops have been launched targeting institutions, ministries, hotels, schools, universities, and health institutions such as Hamad Medical Corporation.