Doha: Hamad Medical Corporation has joined the international ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’ campaign this month to encourage women to know the signs and symptoms of the cancer emphasising that early detection can save lives.
Under the theme ‘Together Against Breast Cancer’, HMC has a dedicated page in its official website and also spreading awareness messages on social media.
The page includes information about breast cancer, the risk factors, symptoms, and how to be breast aware. Visitors to the page also get the chance to learn about some success stories of breast cancer patients, their treatment journey and their victory in their battle with cancer.
In line with HMC’s mission to provide the safest, most effective and most compassionate care to population and to provide help and support through early detection and education, the web page provides audiences with the knowledge they need through sharing information about breast awareness, talking about mammograms, prevention, and how early detection can save lives.
Breast cancer is most common cancer in Qatar, accounting for 31 percent of cancer cases in women. The risk of women in the population developing breast cancer is 56 per 100,000 (source: Qatar Cancer Registry).
Both women and men can however be affected by breast cancer. According to HMC, it is important to note that many breast cancers are treatable and patients can survive if it’s diagnosed and treated early.
“Awareness is a very effective tool that can greatly increase a breast cancer patient’s chances of getting it treated, but this action must be taken in the early stages of the onset of symptoms, sometimes even earlier. For this reason, it is extremely important for women to be aware of the causes and symptoms of breast cancer so they are able to quickly seek treatment,” according to a breast cancer awareness message.
It added: “The optimal care of patients with breast cancer is rapidly changing as a result of advances in all aspects of patient care. There is an increasing focus on providing multidisciplinary care for patients with complex diseases such as breast cancer through the use of integrated teams of professionals representing the relevant treatment modalities, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and systemic medical interventions.”
Most cancers occur randomly, however a small number of cases (5 -10%) are linked to a strong family history of cancer. These cancers may be the result of identifiable gene mutations.
Therefore, it is recommended that women begin regular annual breast cancer screening at the age of 45. Breast Cancer screening service is currently offered by Primary Health Care Corporation’s three health centres and by a mobile screening unit by appointment, under the National Breast and Bowel Cancer Screening Program. HMC offers a breast cancer screening clinic at National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR).