Kuwait University organizes lecture titled ‘Anthropology, Breast Cancer’

Calls to support Pap smear test in Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 14: The Cultural Committee of Department of Sociology and Social Services in the College of Social Sciences at Kuwait University organized a lecture titled “Anthropology and Breast Cancer” on the occasion of the World Month of Breast Cancer. The lecture was presented by Professor of Medical Cultural Anthropology Dr Maha Al-Sejari.

In a press release issued by Kuwait University, Dr Al-Sejari said the lecture focused on the most prominent cultural factors that limit women from self-examination of breast or undergoing mammography, revealing that she obtained these results after conducting a study on Kuwaiti women.

She explained that the disease is usually detected in the third and fourth stage. So far, 124 cases of these stages have been detected in the State of Kuwait. The disease can be treated fully in case of early detection in early stages by conducting periodic selfexaminations or visiting a health center once in a year to carry out mammography. The Kuwaiti government has availed five centers where mammography can be carried out free of charge.

Regarding the cultural factors that restrict women from carrying out selfexamination or mammography, Dr Al-Sejari said majority of women do not do it because of their fear of detecting cancer and since the body part where the disease happens is considered sensitive, adding that some are shy to disclose this to the medical staff, while others say they have important issues to deal with rather than going to health centers, as health issues are not their top priority.

Meanwhile Gynecology consultant in the Ministry of Health Dr Iman Al-Tawheed said the Pap smear is considered a cornerstone for prevention of cervical cancer but a number of women do not undergo the test at all.

In a press statement, Al-Tawheed revealed that 34 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2012 and 12 of them died. She explained the previous figures do not reflect the actual number of women with cervical cancer in the country due to the absence of a national program for examination. She said there are women inflicted with the disease but it has not been detected yet or it is in the early stages.

She pointed out that up to now cervical cancer has not been given attention not only in Kuwait but in the entire Gulf as well. This is due to several reasons like limited access to information for health professionals and the public, absence of comprehensive preventive and sustainable national programs, lack of trained physicians, and social and cultural barriers associated with the diagnosis of cervical cancer, she explained.

On the other hand, Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the College of Public Health in Kuwait University Dr Eleni Tolma said health professionals from all over the world are using the Pap test (also known as Pap smear) as the first line of cervical cancer screening, which is part of a comprehensive program to detect cervical cancer.

She quoted the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as saying that the current figures will triple by 2035 unless health professionals in Kuwait take the necessary action, noting that cervical cancer is an important public health issue globally. She added the positive side is that early diagnosis greatly contributes to preventing the disease.