The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has launched a breast cancer awareness campaign for the month of October, also known as Pink Month. Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer among women in Qatar and the month-long Screen for Life campaign aims to educate the public on the importance of early detection.

The National Breast and Bowel Cancer Screening Programme also known as Screen for Life, is conducted under Qatar’s National Cancer Programme in accordance with the country’s National Health Strategy 2011-2016, based on preventive and community-based care.

Screen for Life is a lifesaving, population-based program to promote education, awareness, and encouragement of early detection of breast and bowel cancer in Qatar. Under the program, launched this year, under the title ‘Early Detection is the Real Protection’, all women in Qatar aged between 45-69 years will be offered a free mammogram test. It emphasizes the idea that regular screening and detecting breast cancer at an early, more treatable stage can protect women's health and potentially save more lives.

Screen for Life will be conducting different activities during the Pink Month, including a health corner at different health centers at PHCC, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar Foundation and others, lectures and workshops at government and private entities, giveaways to patients at the suite and during events, social media posts on awareness and a competition on PHCC’s Instagram account.

Also launched is a special partnership with the Gulf center for food stuff through which Al Shamal Water bottles will be distributed across Qatar in a limited pink edition to support breast cancer.

Director of the screening programs at the Primary Health Care Corporation Dr. Shaikha Abu Shaikha said, “As usual we are more than ready provide the service to the highest number of the eligible population, thanks to our teams who are working continuously throughout the year to raise awareness in terms of education about breast cancer and to deliver the best service in its best way at the clinic.”

“Our tagline ‘Early Detection is the Real Protection’ is a direct message to all women above 45 years to do their routine check-up and screening even if they don’t have any symptoms. Let’s not forget, breast cancer has the highest percentage in Qatar amongst cancer and can affect anyone. However, when detected at early stages, which is mostly through screening, recovery rate can reach up to 100%” continued Dr. Shaikha.

The campaign urges women of the age 45 and older to come forward for an early screening test. They can book an appointment by calling the screening call centre number 800 1112.

Breast and Bowel cancer screening suites are available in four different health centres across Qatar: Al Wakrah, Rawdat Al Khail, Muaither and Leabaib.