Doha: Aster Medical Centre (AMC), a division of Aster DM Healthcare, the leading conglomerate in the Middle East and India, organised an interactive session on breast and cervical cancer to enhance awareness.
With October being marked as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the session was held for female staff of Scholars International School, Al Rayyan, on October 22.
It was headed by Dr Jyoti Khanna, a gynaecologist and obstetrician from AMC, Al Rayyan, with over 17 years of experience as a medical practitioner. It highlighted causes, symptoms, self-examination, screenings and treatments of breast and cervical cancer.
Dr Khanna also provided insights on how women tend to neglect their health concerns and risk factors of these life-threatening conditions. She said, “Breast cancer is a very common form of cancer among women. Earlier, it was detected only among women between 40 and 50 and above, in post-menopausal stage. Now, women between 20 and 30 are also at high risk, which is increased if a woman has a family history of breast cancer.
“About 80 percent of breast cancer cases are treatable if it is diagnosed at an early stage. There are symptoms which a woman can identify. Breast lumps or underarm swelling, pain or tenderness, change in size, colour, texture and temperature, change in nipple and unusual discharge from it are symptoms that should not be underestimated. Women can conduct self-examination once in two to six months for any unusual changes.”
Dr Khanna said: “Cervical cancer is also common, caused by HPV Virus. Abnormal bleeding from vagina, change in menstrual cycle which cannot be explained, bleeding when something comes in contact with the cervix, pain during intercourse and vaginal discharge tinged with blood are symptoms. “Cervical cancer can be avoided if regular Pap Smear tests are conducted to detect abnormalities in the cervix which might cause cancer. Vaccinations are also available to prevent HPV from causing cancer,” she added.
Dr Sameer Moopan, CEO, DM Healthcare-Qatar, said breast and cervical cancer are treatable and understanding of these conditions is important. What is important is having been diagnosed with cancer is not the end of life.
The Peninsula
