By Isabel Ovalle
The second largest cause of female cancer mortality is cervical cancer, to the point that the Middle East loses one woman every hour to this illness. This cancer is also the only one with a clear cause: a virus. On this basis, Qatar Cancer Society has launched ‘Think Again’ campaign to encourage women to make informed decisions about their health.
This six month long initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of preventing this cancer with vaccination and regular screening. The vaccine can be administered to young women from 13 years of age. Studies reveal that this measure is the most effective to prevent this disease. Together with regular screening, it can reduce the risk of cervical cancer by up to 93 percent.
The most deadly cancer among women is breast cancer, which is when malignant cancer forms and spreads within the tissues in the breast. This disease is found more prevalent among Caucasian women and can be detected by a mammogram. In this case, there are no prophylactic vaccines available.
On the other hand, cervical cancer can be prevented by early detection through screening or by primary prevention through vaccination. The nationwide cervical cancer awareness campaign hopes to clarify misconceptions and dispel myths about this illness.
Cervical cancer is a serious disease that can be life-threatening and starts when normal cells on the cervix turn to abnormal precancerous cells. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, which connects to the vagina.
In pregnant women, the cervix stays closed to keep the baby inside the womb, until it opens during childbirth. Women should start screening when they get married or simply are sexually active.
Through a website (http://www.thinkagain.gsk-me.com) and various initiatives in schools and universities, the campaign will inform women about prevention. The most important issue that experts want to clarify is that prevention is the key to “feel better and live a longer life.”
Dr Omar Abu Zeinab explained that cervical cancer is a slow developing cancer that starts in the interior lining of the cervix. “Over time the changes build up and a pre-cancerous condition called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia develops and this change can progrezss to cancer, but this is not always the case,” he clarified.
“Cervical cancer is a silent killer, because early stage usually has no symptoms, therefore, there is no way to self detect an infection,” added the doctor. Symptoms of later stage disease may include: bleeding, caused by the tumor; vaginal discharge; or pelvic and back pain.
The doctor also explained that cervical cancer is neither genetic nor hereditary and the main risk factor is a virus called Human papillomavirus. He added that a previous infection does not protect against future infections, with eight out of 10 women infected at some point in their life.
Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Jabor Al Thani, chairman of Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), in a press conference to inform about the campaign, said that the number of women affected by this type of cancer in Qatar “is not very high.” However, with this initiative QCS hopes to eradicate this disease in its early stage because if it’s caught early, it is 100 percent curable.
Cervical cancer vaccination consists of three injections given trough a six month period by a doctor. In order for it to be effective, the patient must complete the full cycle. Women up to 55 years can be vaccinated.
On this basis, QCS chairman added that many women still underestimate the risk of getting cervical disease. According to the society, one woman is diagnosed with this type of cancer every minute and a woman dies from it every two minutes. Almost 288,000 women die because of cervical cancer every year.
Sheikh Khalid Bin Jabor Al Thani encouraged people to visit QCS new website which will be launched tomorrow. On this site women can register for vaccination and a screening session and, he added, make contributions.
Qatar Cancer Society is a humanitarian organization founded in 1997 which operates only through donations from supporters. The organization implements awareness and advocacy programs aimed at informing the public and healthcare professionals on the disease and cancer research.
‘Think again’ is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the company which provides 99 percent of the vaccines distributed at HMC. GSK has over 30 vaccines approved for marketing and 20 more in development.
Grand Hyatt Doha reached out to QCS to support this initiative as an integral part of an active health and community awareness strategy aimed by the hotel.
Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani, chairman of Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), in a press conference to inform about the campaign, said that the number of women affected by this type of cancer in Qatar “is not very high.” However, with this initiative QCS hopes to eradicate this disease in its early stage because if it’s caught early, it is 100 percent curable.
Cervical cancer vaccination consists of three injections given trough a six month period by a doctor. In order for it to be effective, the patient must complete the full cycle. Women up to 55 years can be vaccinated.
On this basis, QCS chairman added that many women still underestimate the risk of getting cervical disease. According to the society, one woman is diagnosed with this type of cancer every minute and a woman dies from it every two minutes. Almost 288,000 women die because of cervical cancer every year.
Sheikh Khalid bin Jabor encouraged people to visit QCS new website which will be launched tomorrow. On this site women can register for vaccination and a screening session and, he added, make contributions.
Qatar Cancer Society is a humanitarian organization founded in 1997 which operates only through donations from supporters. The organization implements awareness and advocacy programs aimed at informing the public and healthcare professionals on the disease and cancer research.
‘Think again’ is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the company which provides 99 percent of the vaccines distributed at HMC. GSK has over 30 vaccines approved for marketing and 20 more in development.
Grand Hyatt Doha reached out to QCS to support this initiative as an integral part of an active health and community awareness strategy aimed by the hotel.
The Peninsula
