October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month all around the world every year. 

This is a time for communities to join hands and play their role in raising awareness of the disease. At the same time, the month shines a spotlight on the importance of early detection and timely treatment.

Under its efforts to combat breast cancer,  Qatar has implemented a national cancer early detection program which encourages women aged 45 and above to begin regular breast cancer screenings.

The Primary Health Care Corp (PHCC) is urging women in Qatar, who fall under this category, to ensure they are screened for breast cancer every three years.

The corporation has asked women to take advantage of free mammography services available in the country.

PHCC runs ‘Screen For Life’, Qatar’s National Breast and Bowel Cancer Screening program and has already completed three years of operation.

It is now identifying women who undertook mammograms in 2016 and are now eligible to screen again.

As per the national guidelines, breast cancer screening should be done every three years.

"We always make sure to explain to women that the screening must be repeated every three years," explained Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, manager of screening programs at PHCC. 

"Being screened once is not the end of the preventative care. Circumstances change and if we are to be successful, we must reinforce the message that women must repeat the screening at the three-year interval," she said.

Dr Shaikha says the repeat screening message will be part of this month’s ‘Put Yourself First’ campaign which ‘Screen For Life’ is running as part of international breast cancer awareness month.

“The good news is that this month women will have more access than ever to free mammogram testing as we are taking the opportunity to sites throughout Qatar. Our mobile screening unit will tour the country, we will have sign-up opportunities in malls and at public and private sector gatherings nationwide to complement free screening at our three main screening suites," she mentioned.

The activities under the 'Screen for Life' program will include lectures, training for physicians, a mobile screening unit and information booths in malls and health centers.

There will also be social media contests and an advertising campaign to promote the program's early screening message.

--

Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.

Instagram - @qatarliving

Twitter - @qatarliving

Facebook - Qatar Living

Source: QNA

Inline Image Credit: Twitter/ PHCCQatar