Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has celebrated Qatar National Day by launching a public event for school students that aimed to introduce the charity’s mission, vision, and it’s role in community by promoting a culture of early detection of disease and ways to prevent it through a numbers of shows and entertainment competitions.

HE. Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani, QCS Chairman, said that the National Day celebrations provide opportunity for Qatar’s citizens and residents to have a sense belonging and loyalty, while emphasising the importance of pride and dignity and line up side by side in love of Qatar.

He also clarified that QCS has not neglected one of its main objective since its establishment in 1997, which is to treat cancer patients who are unable to pay the costs of treatment , Where it has treated approximately 1070 patients at a cost of approximately QR13,822,000 between January and October this year m and by the end of this year, it is expected that 1,284 patients will be treated at an estimated cost of QR16,590,000, pointing to the society’s keenness to treat all patients, and there is not one patient on the waiting list.

Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor stressed QCS’ keenness to launch awareness and educational campaigns throughout the year, especially during the celebration of the Qatar National Day, to raise community awareness about cancer.

Qatar Cancer Society concluded its activities on the International Month of Breast Cancer Awareness with ‘Walk to Support’ event which was held at the Doha  Corniche with more than 700 participation and sponsors who joined the  walk  to support  individual living  with breast cancer , where many activities were attended by  the  participants .

Many sponsors supported” Walk to support ‘believing in the importance of spreading awareness of breast cancer and emphasizing the importance of social responsibility such as Ooredoo and Katara Hospitality who are the strategic partners to QCS.  Carrefour, QTerminals and Barwa Bank, who were the platinum sponsors of this event, and Commercial Bank as a gold sponsor. In addition to the co-sponsors like Qatar Aluminum, Qatar Living, Mowasalat, Al Rayan Water Company, Oryx Rotana Hotel and Talabat Company who provided the refreshments like water, juice and fruits to the participants. Tadawi Medical Center was the medical sponsor as well, which provided free consultation and advice to the participants in the march.

The Participants and sponsors met at the gathering point and enjoyed the shows, then the walk about 3 km on the Corniche and returned to the gathering point  , the event also included a prize draw from Barwa Bank, finally Honoring the sponsors.

QATAR Cancer Society (QCS), represented by its Chairman Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor al Thani, participated in the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit organised by Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in Nur-Sultan (Astana) 1, Kazakhstan recently.

Around 350 global influencers and leaders in cancer control and public health from across governments, UN agencies, academia, non-profit organisations and private sectors discussed ways in which cancer detection, treatment and care contribute to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Reducing the number of premature deaths caused by cancer and to achieve the UHC vision of ‘Health for All’ requires addressing inequities in access to cancer services.

With ‘Cancer and Universal Health Coverage’ as a topic, the 2019 edition of the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit focused on expanding access to quality preventive care, early detection, treatment and care for cancer.

The experts shared perspectives on the relationship between strong, sustainable and ‘people centred’ health systems and the effective prevention and control of NCDs, promoting access to cancer services, and priority setting as part of the progressive realisation of UHC.

Sheikh Dr Khalid said, “Our participation in this summit came within the framework of our membership of the UICC, which is one of the largest international institutions dedicated to develop programmes and future plans through participation in all internal and external events for cancer control.”

Qatar Cancer Society “QCS “has launched “Blossom “Campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer which falls in October each year.

“Blossom “   is a national campaign targeting all Categories  of Qatari society throughout the month, and aims to emphasize the importance of periodic examination for the early detection and spreading the culture of healthy life style to prevent it, as well as Highlight the health services available in the State of Qatar, Activating the society’s role in providing psychological and Financial  support to cancer patients  , and produce  the experiences of Individuals living with cancer.

QATAR Cancer Society (QCS) has launched ‘Fadetcom’ campaign, which is observed in September each year, to raise awareness of childhood cancers.

The campaign focused on the importance of early detection through urged parents to ensure regular medical check-ups of their children and to be watchful for any unusual signs or symptoms   where Periodic examination helps in early detection of the disease.

The important things that The campaign focused on it to avoid childhood cancers are healthy sleeping pattern for the children and keeping the atmosphere at home light and pleasant to improve immunity , also use protective measures when exposed to the sun (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, long-sleeved clothes), as well as stop smoking during pregnancy, protect the child from passive smoking.

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.