Saleh Fareed

Saudi Gazette

 

DAMMAM — A national media campaign for breast cancer awareness that kicks off in October in the Eastern Province will emphasize the importance of early diagnosis to increase the chances of beating the disease.



The campaign will launch in the presence of more than 400 physicians and specialists of different disciplines as well as specialized volunteers.



Dr. Abdulaziz Alturki, president of the Saudi Cancer Foundation that is organizing the campaign, said the event will be inaugurated by Eastern Province Emir Prince Saud Bin Naif and aims to raise public health awareness. He said the campaign would continue throughout October and provide flyers and booklets on breast cancer awareness.



It will include various educational programs on the importance of the early detection of breast cancer and provides free mammogram screening through mobile clinics in the Eastern Province.



“As part of the campaign, a special booth and exhibition will be set up in various locations and there will be female doctors to conduct examinations in the privacy of these booths,” he said.



October is widely recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness month, with an annual campaign focused on increasing awareness about the disease and sharing information about early detection and prevention.



Breast cancer is an important health concern for all women. Dr. Fatma Al-Mulhim, head of radiology at King Fahd Hospital in Dammam, said the “Pink Eastern” campaign was initiated with the hope of saving lives.



She said: “We aim for the early detection of breast cancer in order to reduce its risk by treating it before it is too late.



“Breast cancer awareness is a significant step for Saudi women. “Having said that, it should be pointed out that while many awareness campaigns have done a wonderful job of publicizing what women should do to protect their health, the execution of efforts to ultimately save lives falls far short.



“Currently, early detection by mammograms is the most effective way of reducing deaths from breast cancer.



“A tumor of less than one centimeter can be detected by a mammogram and thus there will be mobile mammography trucks traveling to certain locations in the Eastern Province.



“Any woman over the age of 40, or who has a family history of breast cancer, can approach the mobile truck for a free mammography screening.” According to the National Cancer Registry, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for 26 percent of all cancer cases.