Tribune News Network
Doha
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) along with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) are partnering to strengthen their existing efforts to raise awareness and increase people’s understanding of head and neck cancer throughout April – the International Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month.
With a focus on the quality of care provided in Qatar and the decrease in head and neck cancer cases, the joint efforts aim to increase understanding of the signs and symptoms of head and neck cancer, highlight the importance of early detection and treatment, and achieve health and wellbeing among Qatar’s population.
The most common head and neck cancers are nasal cavity, sinus, lip, mouth, salivary gland and throat or larynx cancers.
While these cancers are less common than others, they are dangerous and some of the most complex to treat.
In 2015, head and neck cancers accounted for approximately four percent of total malignant cancers in Qatar, among which more than 60 percent of the cases diagnosed were late stage. Most cases occur in adults aged between 45 and 49 years old, according to the National Qatar Cancer Registry - Ministry of Public Health.
Catherine Gillespie, director of the National Cancer Programme at the Ministry of Public Health, said the Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month aims to encourage people to take steps to reduce their risk of developing this type of cancer.
"Quitting smoking or stopping the use of any tobacco products, including shisha, is probably the single most effective way to reduce the risk of developing a cancer in the head or neck. Services to support people who want to give up smoking are available and can be accessed by calling PHCC’s Hayak team on 107 or HMC’s Nesma’ak team on 16060,” she said.
Dr Mohammed Ussama al Homsi, senior consultant in the Oncology Department at NCCCR, said: "Raising awareness of head and neck cancer is of great importance in our community. Part of our responsibility as healthcare professionals is to educate people about important diseases, including head and neck cancer.
"I take this opportunity to raise awareness of the risk of tobacco use in any forms, including smoking and chewing. Symptoms may be as simple as a sore throat that doesn’t go away or a mouth ulcer or sore that doesn’t heal. Like any other cancer, when found early, most cancers in the head and neck can be treated and cured.”
Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, manager of Screening Programmes at PHCC, said there is a fast referral process in place between PHCC and HMC for suspected cancer cases.
"If the physicians suspect the likelihood of head and neck cancer, the patient will be referred to HMC within 48 hours for further testing. The experienced staff at HMC will conduct the appropriate investigations and manage the case as needed,” she said.
Hiba Nasser, head of the Health Education Department at QCS, said QCS will continue to raise awareness regarding the importance of early detection, risk factors, signs and symptoms as well as prevention methods about head and neck cancer. This will be achieved through awareness campaigns and workshops targeting all community members, in addition to launching electronic campaigns through accounts on social media.
In line with the National Cancer Strategy and the National Cancer Framework, this awareness initiative among many others is part of Qatar’s public healthcare providers and their partners’ long-standing commitment to ensuring health and wellbeing for the population of Qatar to meet the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Doha
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) along with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) are partnering to strengthen their existing efforts to raise awareness and increase people’s understanding of head and neck cancer throughout April – the International Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month.
With a focus on the quality of care provided in Qatar and the decrease in head and neck cancer cases, the joint efforts aim to increase understanding of the signs and symptoms of head and neck cancer, highlight the importance of early detection and treatment, and achieve health and wellbeing among Qatar’s population.
The most common head and neck cancers are nasal cavity, sinus, lip, mouth, salivary gland and throat or larynx cancers.
While these cancers are less common than others, they are dangerous and some of the most complex to treat.
In 2015, head and neck cancers accounted for approximately four percent of total malignant cancers in Qatar, among which more than 60 percent of the cases diagnosed were late stage. Most cases occur in adults aged between 45 and 49 years old, according to the National Qatar Cancer Registry - Ministry of Public Health.
Catherine Gillespie, director of the National Cancer Programme at the Ministry of Public Health, said the Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month aims to encourage people to take steps to reduce their risk of developing this type of cancer.
"Quitting smoking or stopping the use of any tobacco products, including shisha, is probably the single most effective way to reduce the risk of developing a cancer in the head or neck. Services to support people who want to give up smoking are available and can be accessed by calling PHCC’s Hayak team on 107 or HMC’s Nesma’ak team on 16060,” she said.
Dr Mohammed Ussama al Homsi, senior consultant in the Oncology Department at NCCCR, said: "Raising awareness of head and neck cancer is of great importance in our community. Part of our responsibility as healthcare professionals is to educate people about important diseases, including head and neck cancer.
"I take this opportunity to raise awareness of the risk of tobacco use in any forms, including smoking and chewing. Symptoms may be as simple as a sore throat that doesn’t go away or a mouth ulcer or sore that doesn’t heal. Like any other cancer, when found early, most cancers in the head and neck can be treated and cured.”
Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, manager of Screening Programmes at PHCC, said there is a fast referral process in place between PHCC and HMC for suspected cancer cases.
"If the physicians suspect the likelihood of head and neck cancer, the patient will be referred to HMC within 48 hours for further testing. The experienced staff at HMC will conduct the appropriate investigations and manage the case as needed,” she said.
Hiba Nasser, head of the Health Education Department at QCS, said QCS will continue to raise awareness regarding the importance of early detection, risk factors, signs and symptoms as well as prevention methods about head and neck cancer. This will be achieved through awareness campaigns and workshops targeting all community members, in addition to launching electronic campaigns through accounts on social media.
In line with the National Cancer Strategy and the National Cancer Framework, this awareness initiative among many others is part of Qatar’s public healthcare providers and their partners’ long-standing commitment to ensuring health and wellbeing for the population of Qatar to meet the Qatar National Vision 2030.