QCS launches ‘You are precious’ campaign to fight cervical cancer
Women can undergo free Pap smear tests at Al Ahli Hospital as part of the month-long initiative
QATAR Cancer Society (QCS) has launched a month-long campaign, titled ‘You are precious’, to raise awareness of cervical cancer in the society.
As part of the campaign, women will be able to undergo Pap smear test free of charge at Al Ahli Hospital after obtaining a coupon from the QCS.
A closing ceremony for the campaign will be organised at Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, in Doha, on January 29.
The event will include lectures, awareness workshops, classes on healthy cooking and exercise sessions. Health educators from the QCS will be present on the occasion to answer queries from the participants.
Moreover, women who do Pap smear test as part of the campaign will enter a draw of lots to win prizes.
Heba Nasser, head of the Health Education Department at QCS, said, “The campaign comes as part of marking January as the Cervical Cancer Awareness Month across the world. Cervical cancer is considered one of the most common types of cancers among women.”
Nasser said QCS will be holding a series of awareness lectures and workshops involving the country’s diverse sectors to raise awareness of the symptoms of the disease, the factors responsible for it, and the methods of prevention and cure.
Nassar pointed out that the prevention methods include undergoing Pap smear test and HPV test, taking HPV vaccine starting from the age of 15 years, quitting smoking, and eating healthy and be active.
Cervical cancer can affect any woman, especially those between the ages of 20 and 50 years. According to Nasser, the Pap test is a simple one and the best time to do it is 10-14 days from the first day of menstruation. The first Pap test should be done after three years of marriage if the woman’s age is 21 years or above. After the first test, women should go for it 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 the Primary Health Care Corporation.