QCS leads dialogue on enhancing breast cancer detection, treatment in region

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), in collaboration with the National Non Communicable Diseases Alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean, hosted a...

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), in collaboration with the National Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean, hosted a discussion session titled, ‘Enhancing Access to Early Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer in the Region,’ as part of the 71st session of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Committee meeting, recently.

The discussion featured Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman of QCS,  H E Dr. Mustapha Al Ferjani, Minister of Health of Tunisia, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO EMRO Regional Director and Dr. Ibtihal Fadhil, EM-NCD Alliance Chairperson.

The discussion session brought together a group of government health officials from various countries in the region, along with WHO officials, technical experts, researchers, healthcare practitioners, civil society organizations, women’s health advocates, patient rights activists, and health journalists.

This session is part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness about breast cancer, providing an ideal opportunity to unify efforts among key stakeholders from different sectors to stimulate initiatives aimed at improving access to early detection and treatment in the Middle East.

 The session covered several important topics, including The Reality of Breast Cancer in the Region: Recent statistics were presented, showing that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the Middle East and North Africa, with over 131,000 reported cases in 2022, making it the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, accounting for approximately 53,000 deaths annually according to the World Health Organization.