Khalid Tawalbeh
Doha
Premium Naseem Medical Center, in cooperation with the Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) and in partnership with Al Watan, Qatar Tribune, Jamila magazine and Cosmotrade, organised an awareness event on the occasion of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Sunday. The programme, organised under the slogan ‘It’s Time to Rise’, received wide participation from specialised doctors, media and women as well as a group of women who have recovered from the disease.
The event aimed to encourage women to go for early screening and track any strange changes on their body to raise the rate of recovery from breast cancer. It also sought to provide the right information to the families about the physical and psychological needs of those affected by the disease.
The launch of pink balloons, a cake-cutting ceremony and awareness lectures on self-examination and healthy lifestyles that contribute to reducing the occurrence of the disease were part of the programme.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune, Premium Naseem Medical Center General Manager Babu Shanavas stressed the importance of awareness campaigns in educating the community to combat breast cancer, adding that the medical centre is considering to organize the event annually.
Shanavas added: "These awareness meetings act as great support groups, as they remind those living with the disease that the whole society supports them, while also contributing to raising awareness of the relatives of the patients so that they can provide the required support and necessary care.”
Dr Naima Ouahrani, a consultant in obstetrics and gynecology, said that Premium Naseem Medical Center is pleased to organize the breast cancer awareness event, which contributes to the national capacities to combat breast cancer.
Dr Ouahrani stressed the importance of organizing such events aimed at enhancing the health of citizens and residents, pointing out that the State of Qatar supports researches that seek to find a cure for breast cancer. These events educate those at risk and encourage early detection through periodic examinations, thereby contributing to controlling the disease and reducing its complications, she said.
Heba Ali from the QCS said that on the occasion of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the society is keen to organize many such events, activities and awareness campaigns in cooperation with various government and private entities to raise awareness of breast cancer. She emphasised the possibility of recovery when the disease is detected in its early stages. She said that the disease is divided into four stages, and explained that if detected in the first and second stages, it is easy to eliminate it.
Ali explained that following a healthy lifestyle – including healthy food and physical activities -- is one of the most important ways to prevent non-communicable diseases, including cancer.
At the end of the ceremony, the audience listened to the stories of those who recovered from the disease, including how it was treated.