‘Screen for Life’ initiative reaffirms support for early screening referrals
Screen for Life, Qatar’s National Breast and Bowel Cancer screening programme led by the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), has reaffirmed its commitment to securing the support of medical professionals in spreading awareness.
Since the beginning of 2019, Screen for Life has engaged with 437 medical professionals through training sessions to secure their support to recommend regular screening for the diseases – the two main causes of cancer deaths in the country.
The programme team visited 21 health centres to conduct these sessions, mainly attended by 340 physicians. Another 97 healthcare providers attended the sessions including; nurses, pharmacists, social workers and health educators. “This approach to driving home the importance of early and regular screening within the relevant age groups is a key success strand in our campaign,” explained Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, manager of Screening Programmes at PHCC.
“Medical professionals have a role to play in reinforcing our message that people within the target groupings should commit to regular screenings even if they do not show any symptoms.
Their professional opinion will carry weight and help people understand that early screening can significantly reduce fatalities from these cancers because if they are caught early enough, the survival rate can be as much as 100%. Family physicians can also assist us in overcoming any cultural sensitivities and personal inhibitions people demonstrate towards screening,” she continued. Screen for Life encourages women aged 4569 to undergo complimentary mammogram tests at its spalike screening suites in the Al Wakra, Leabaib and Rawdat Al Khail Health Centres and via its mobile screening unit.
The tests should be repeated every three years. Screening for bowel cancer is offered for men and women aged between 50-74 with early detection leading to a possible 90% survival rate.
Patients can also collect the Fecal Immunochemical Test kit –the FIT Kit – and take the simple test in the privacy of their own home then simply take their sample to the PHCC for testing. To encourage referrals from doctors, PHCC has established a dedicated and automated e-referrals process since 2016. This system can be accessed by physicians from any PHCC health centre in Qatar.