Qatar will host the Second Regional Campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness which aims to spread a unified message across more than 11 Arab countries.
The campaign will be held in October to coincide with the global awareness month for breast cancer, said Dr Sheikh Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Cancer Society, addressing a press conference yesterday.
“We will spread the message and unified activities through the regional campaign to increase awareness about breast cancer and the importance of its early detection,” he said.
The regional campaign will be held in partnership with Jordan Breast Cancer Programme and supported by Ooredoo and Katara Hospitality.
Also, a preparatory workshop will be held to discuss the latest preparations for a unified regional campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer on May 22 and 23.
“Around 11 countries will be taking part in the preparatory workshop in Doha. Representatives of Ministry of Health of different countries, NGOs as well as other organisations will discuss the content of the campaign’s message in order to increase its influence and facilitate access to the largest number of women as well as men,” said Dr Al Thani. The countries include Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain , Oman, Iraq , the UAE, Jordan, Palestine Lebanon, Egypt and Morocco.
Entities from 11 Arab countries which will take part in the global awareness month will be attending the preparatory workshop.
More than ten entities will represent Qatar during the discussions including the Ministry of Public Health, Hamad Medical Corporation, Primary Health Care Corporation, Qatar Cancer Society and private hospitals.
The first Regional Campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness was held in Amman, Jordan, with the participation of six Arab countries.
Separately, speaking about the impact of continuous awareness activities held by the Qatar Cancer Society, Dr Al Thani said that people have a more open approach to the disease.
“Our awareness programmes are very successful. Earlier, people were reluctant but now many come forward and ask questions and try to get to know about the disease. Very soon we will be launching an app to answer all questions related to breast cancer,” he said.
According to the Ministry of Public Health, among the incidence of cancer in Qatar, breast cancer accounted for 17.42 percent.