Free 20,000 cancer risk assessments by Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals and to mark World Cancer Day falls on February 4, Badr Al Samaa announced a mass campaign of providing 20,000 free cancer risk assessments and consultation for the residents and nationals of Oman.
The campaign, conducted by Badr Karkinos Centre for Cancer Care, will run for 3 months ending April 30, 2023. The aim of this campaign is the early detection of cancer and the spreading of important health awareness on cancer. Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals, being the largest private healthcare provider understands its responsibility of contributing to medical programmes of national importance.
Cancer is the second most cause of mortality in the world today and Oman is not an exception. It is estimated that more than 20 million new cancer cases are diagnosed every year in the world. Data from Oman shows 3700+ new cancer cases diagnosed in the year 2020. The major challenge in cancer care is that around 70% of cancer cases are diagnosed in the advanced stages. Cancers detected in early stages are more likely to be cured with standard treatment protocols than those diagnosed late. The substantial delay in detection and lack of proper prevention is one of the key reasons for poor cancer outcomes.
How to register
Anyone interested in Badr Al Samaa’s free cancer risk assessment programme can enrol themselves by sending their name, age, gender and preferred location of Badr Al Samaa for assessment via WhatsApp to 72255689. The QR code for registration is available in the picture in this news story and on the social media handles of Badr Al Samaa as well. An appointment date and time will be communicated within 24 hours of sending the request for an appointment.
AI-based tool of risk-assessment
The lack of awareness about cancer, especially regarding the common symptoms, prevention and early diagnosis aspect of the same is the predominant reason for late diagnosis and subsequent poor prognosis. Proper awareness among the public is the need of the hour. Badr Al Samaa’s cancer risk assessment program is an AIbased platform curated by a group of experienced oncologists. It includes a series of questions comparing all the risk factors associ-* ated with malignancy and other non-communicable diseases. In the end, the platform with the help of AI shall compute the risk score for individual citizens.
Apart from cancer risk assessment, Badr Al Samaa will be providing free consultation and cancer awareness and education material to all the enrolled.
Speaking on this occasion the managing directors of Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals Abdul Latheef and Dr P A Mohammed said that there is an immense need for health screening programs to ensure timely diagnosis and proper treatment which will result in saving many precious lives. They said the main reason for providing a large number of 20,000 cancer risk assessments for free is to encourage people to dissolve the taboo around cancer and come in large numbers to ensure safety from this deadly disease. Badr Al Samaa is working hard in spreading important health awareness on cancer.