QCS concludes ‘You are Precious’ campaign aimed to raise awareness of risk factors of cervical cancer

QATAR Cancer Society (QCS) has concluded the ‘You are Precious’ campaign to raise awareness about cervical cancer, which is the sixth most newly-diagnosed cancer among women in Qatar according to Qatar National Cancer Registry (QNCR) 2016 of the Ministry of Public Health.

The campaign targeted all women in Qatari society through virtual workshop and awareness competitions that aimed to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms and risk factors of cervical cancer. It also encouraged early detection through distribution of vouchers to do Pap Smear test free of charge at Al Ahli Hospital.

Many specialists participated in the campaign, including Dr Aisha Al Thani from Aisha Salman Al Thani Center Dr Sahar Al Ani, consultant obstetrician and hynaecologist at the Middle East Center Nour Al isani from Diet Delight Center and Dr Nagham Al Kreedi from Al-Dafna Medical Center.

Media figure Amal AbdulMalik contributed to spreading awareness of cervical cancer through media platforms and through her accounts on social media.

Heba Nassar, health educator at QCS, said “Cervical cancer can affect any woman, especially in the age group of 20 50 years. It does not often show symptoms until it reaches the advanced stage. So it is important to start early detection tests regularly even when one is healthy.”

According to Heba, the risk factors of cervical cancer include human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, smoking, recurring cervical infections, family history, having given birth to three or more children, using birth control pills for a long time and lack of screening.

She added “The early symptoms are abnormal vaginal bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharge, pelvic pain and pain during intercourse. The human papillomavirus can be detected by Pap test or HPV test and prevented through providing HPV vaccine for those aged 15 years and above.

“The Pap test is a simple one and the best time to do the test is 10-14 days from the first day of menstruation. The first Pap test should be done after years of marriage, if the age is 21 years or above. After the first Pap test, women should go for the test every three years until the age of 65. After 65, the test can be stopped if the last three Pap tests are normal. Pap tests can be done in most of the health centres of Primary Health Care Corporation.”