QCS Leadership in Breast Cancer Awareness and Early Detection. As part of ongoing efforts to enhance cancer awareness and address breast cancer challenges, Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), in collaboration with the National Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean, organized a pivotal discussion titled Enhancing Access to Early Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer in the Region.
The event took place during the 71st session of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Committee meeting, bringing together health leaders and experts from the region.
This impactful session, which featured Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman of QCS, included high-profile participants like H.E. Dr. Mustapha Al Ferjani, Minister of Health of Tunisia, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO EMRO Regional Director, and Dr. Ibtihal Fadhil, Chairperson of the Eastern Mediterranean NCD Alliance.
The collaborative discussion aimed to tackle the barriers and improve the current landscape of breast cancer prevention and treatment in the region.
Unified Efforts for Breast Cancer Awareness
Bringing together government health officials, WHO representatives, technical experts, healthcare practitioners, civil society organizations, and advocates for women health and patient rights, the session underscored the necessity of working collectively to stimulate initiatives for early detection and breast cancer treatment across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
A critical theme throughout the discussion was the importance of raising cancer awareness, with particular emphasis on breast cancer, which remains the most prevalent cancer among women in MENA. More than 131,000 cases were reported in 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Breast cancer is responsible for approximately 53,000 deaths annually, making it the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the region.
Challenges to Early Detection and Treatment
The session explored the barriers to early detection and treatment, which continue to plague many women in the region. A lack of awareness, compounded by cancer stigma in several communities, prevents women from seeking timely diagnosis and treatment. Social stigma, insufficient health resources, and limited access to quality healthcare services further exacerbate the situation.
Addressing these issues is critical, as early detection significantly improves survival rates. The Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) is committed to eliminating these barriers by working closely with governments and healthcare organizations to ensure comprehensive strategies for early detection and treatment access.
Best Practices and Success Stories
During the session, participants shared success stories from various countries, demonstrating how the implementation of early detection programs has led to improved outcomes for breast cancer patients. These experiences provide a roadmap for other countries in the region, offering practical solutions for increasing global cancer advocacy efforts.
Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani expressed the importance of hosting such events to prioritize early detection. He stated, “Our goal is to integrate early detection into national health policies and cancer control plans across the region. We believe that sharing best practices and exchanging successful experiences will lead to better outcomes for women at risk of breast cancer.”
Recommendations for Future Progress
The discussion session concluded with a series of future-focused recommendations aimed at reducing the burden of breast cancer in the region. These recommendations included bolstering advocacy efforts for early detection, allocating more resources to breast cancer prevention, and developing inclusive, gender-sensitive policies that cater to the unique needs of women, regardless of their social or geographical status.
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One of the key recommendations was to increase cancer awareness among all stakeholders—governments, civil society organizations, and community groups—by promoting education on the significance of early detection. This approach would help ensure equitable access to healthcare services, improving survival outcomes for breast cancer patients.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also provided guidelines to strengthen healthcare systems, aiming to reduce mortality rates and improve the quality of life for those affected by breast cancer. The session underscored the necessity of concerted efforts to achieve better health outcomes for women, ensuring that early detection and treatment services are available and accessible to all.
Call to Action for Global Cancer Advocacy
As the most common cancer among women, breast cancer remains a significant public health challenge in the region. However, with the concerted efforts of governments, healthcare organizations, and advocacy groups like Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), there is hope for a future where early detection and timely treatment are the norms, not the exceptions.
In the words of Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani, “We need collective action to ensure that every woman, regardless of her background, has access to life-saving early detection and treatment services. Together, we can make a difference.”
Through events like this discussion session and ongoing collaboration, Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) continues to play a pivotal role in addressing the barriers to early detection, raising cancer awareness, and advocating for improved global cancer advocacy. Their efforts align with regional and global health goals, ensuring that breast cancer is addressed with the urgency it deserves.