Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has concluded ‘Your blood ..Your Health’ campaign to raise awareness on blood cancers.

The campaign continued throughout August, the month of global awareness on blood cancers.

Blood cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in Qatar, according to Qatar National Cancer registry 2015 of the Ministry of Public Health.

The campaign included a number of awareness events at malls and addressed questions of public. It also addressed the  symptoms, risk factors,  methods of prevention and the importance of periodic examination for early detection, in addition to the distribution of vouchers for consultations and free tests to the public, in cooperation with the Syrian Medical Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Mall of Qatar and Qatar Living.

Hiba Nassar, Head of Health Education Department at QCS, said, “ Blood cancer is a group of cancers which affects blood cells, blood forming tissues or the immune system cells and there are three main types of blood cancers: Lymphoma, Leukemia and Myeloma, noted that Lymphoma and Leukemia are the most common blood cancers.

Nassar stressed the importance of periodic tests for early detection of the disease, and conducting comprehensive periodic analyses that detect early on potential diseases, especially cancer , explained that each type of blood cancers has a different way of spreading and responding to treatment so it is important to determine the type.

Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has launched ‘Protect Yourself ‘campaign to raise awareness about liver cancer which ranks  the seventh most common cancer among men in Qatar, according to Qatar National Cancer registry 2015 at the Ministry of Public Health.

Nour Mekkia, health educator at QCS, said, “There are many risk factors that can increase the chances of developing liver cancer. It is more common among male than female. It is also more common in aged people as most people diagnosed with liver cancer are 55 and above. Alcohol and tobacco use are two major reasons for the disease. Viral hepatitis B&C can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. People with type 2 diabetes tend to be overweight or obese, which can lead to health problems in the liver. Occupational exposure to chemicals is another major reason for the disease.”

Mekkia  definite Liver cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the tissue of the liver (primary liver cancer) or abnormal cells that spread to the liver from other organs (metastatic liver cancer).

“Weight loss for unknown reasons, loss of appetite, feeling very full after a small meal, nausea or vomiting, general weakness and fatigue, pain in the abdomen or near the right shoulder blade, itching, white, chalky stools, yellowing of the skin and eyes and enlarged liver and spleen are the signs and symptoms of the disease,” she explained.

She stressed the importance of early detection of the disease. “It is often hard to find liver cancer early because the signs and symptoms often do not appear at an early stage. So, it is important to check with a doctor regularly,” she noted.

“Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption; maintain healthy body weight; be physically active (exercise for at least 30 minutes a day for five days a week); prevent infection with hepatitis B and C; get regular medical checkup and avoid breathing in or touching toxic chemicals. These can help prevent liver cancer to a great extent,” Mekkia added.

Qatar Cancer Society has lunched “ I’m  a survivor And  l will inspire you with my story “ campaign  which Continued throughout June Global Awareness Month for People Living with the cancer that included patients , survivors and   their families who provide them with primary care.

The campaign highlighted the stories of people living with the disease and how they could hope in the hearts of others by sharing their stories through all means available.

Dana Mansour, Head of Individuals Living with Cancer Support Department at QCS said “The campaign was launched as a sustainable initiative within the community’s psychological and social support programs   that submitted by QCS   for this category.

Within the framework of this campaign, the charity  launched many events, lectures and workshops that emphasize the importance of psychological and social support for this group, most notably organizing awareness day for visitors to National Center for Cancer Care and Research, in addition to organizing vent at  the headquarters of QCS  included several paragraphs most notably the presentation of stories of some people living with cancer  and workshops in psychological support as well as recreational and interactive workshops aimed children living with the disease and their families.

In conjunction with the awareness campaigns, media campaigns were launched through all available outlets, which presented more positive images of this category and the importance of activating their role in society and changing the stereotypes about cancer and people living with cancer . she added .,

Dana said “There are 3 phases of survivorship: the first stage is Acute survivorship starts at diagnosis and goes through to the end of initial treatment. Cancer treatment is the focus , the second stage is Extended survivorship starts at the end of initial treatment and goes through the months after. The effects of cancer and treatment are the focus and the third stage is Permanent survivorship is when years have passed since cancer treatment ended. There is less of a chance that the cancer may come back. Long-term effects of cancer and treatment are the focus.

The department seeks to achieve a set of Objectives  ( assess and recognize the unique needs , Helping the patients Being Healthy after Treatment , Provide accurate, up to date cancer information and connecting them with the available services and resources in the community and Help the patients to manage the physical side effects of cancer treatment ) .she added .

Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has launched periodic visits to cancer patients who National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) and sidra medicine in patients .

The initiative aims to provide psychological and social support for cancer patients and provide positive impact to treatment.

Ibrahim Bani Amer – advocacy officer at QCS, said: “This initiative emphasizes the charity’s keenness to play its role both psychologically and physically.”

During the visit

He pointed out that the visits emphasize the importance of psychological support for this group and help them overcome the stage of treatment with great patience and determination.

“These visits aim to raise the community’s awareness of cancer and remove the fear and shame associated with it to emphasize that like any other disease, cancer can be cured,” He added.

Drawing a smile on the face of patients living with cancer

He thanked National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) ,  sidra medicine  for the gesture and hope that more partnerships with all State institutions will contribute to the deployment of community awareness of cancer and ways to prevent it ,  he also thanked  Caboodle Caboodle Pamper & Play for support  Children cancer Patient and to allocate 10% of its sales throughout Ramadan  month  to support QCS’S awareness efforts.

QATAR Cancer Society (QCS) hosted (Hope Iftar) event as part of Psychosocial and social support program for people living with cancer   .

More than 300 patients, survivors and their families, as well as Ambassadors of the Honorary Society and a number of public figures and media personalities. Attend the ceremony   at InterContinental Doha .The City Hotel .

During the Breakfast

The ceremony includes many activities, the most important of which is a religious paragraph, as well as the definition of support programs for people living with the disease.

During the event, the survivors also shared with the audience the stories of their amazing battles with the disease.
‘Hope Iftar ‘ launched by QCS with support from Carrefour in collaboration with National Centre for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) and Sidra Medicine.

QCS Chairman Dr Khalid bin Jabor al Thani said that the annual event is happening in conjunction with QCS’s mission to prevent cancer and control its burden in Qatar by working with its partners to educate the community and to support, empower and advocate individuals living with cancer  , Pointing out the charity’s keenness to provide all support for people living with the disease, whether financial or psychological , Noting that  ‘Hope Iftar ‘comes in the context of the close relationship between the psychological state of the patient and respond to treatment.

H.E Sheikh Dr Khalid Bin Jabor Al Thani

Dana Mansour, Head of Individuals Living with Cancer Support Department at QCS presented an overview of the department ‘s programs  saying “ is the department concerned of Planning, implementation, evaluation and development of programs to support the individuals living with cancer in term of financial and psychosocial aspects as well as advocacy” .

The department seeks to achieve a set of Objectives  ( assess and recognize the unique needs , Helping the patients Being Healthy after Treatment , Provide accurate, up to date cancer information and connecting them with the available services and resources in the community and Help the patients to manage the physical side effects of cancer treatment ) .she added .

Adnan Ali, Carrefour representative, praised the efforts of the Qatar Cancer Society to raise awareness of the disease, represented by His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Jabor Al Thani.

Hope Iftar