Shaikh Dr. Khalid bin Jabr Al-Thani

Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) concluded its participation in the eighth Gulf joint Cancer Awareness Week “under the Gulf Union Against Cancer in cooperation with Gulf Centre for Cancer Control and Prevention.

Each year, the first week of February has been approved as a Gulf Cancer Awareness Week that aims to fight risk factors to reduce infection rates, encourage early detection to increase recovery rates, and unify media messages in the GCC.

The eighth Gulf joint Cancer Awareness Week aims to  Introduce the types of cancer that can be detected early, correct misconceptions about cancer, introduce the national programs for early detection, and the services provided by associations of public interest to cancer patients and their families.

The Gulf Awareness Week included several programs and activities that QCS launched, the most notably activating the electronic brochure “in all languages ” We can,  in addition to publishing stories of hope for people living with cancer on many platforms.

Several awareness workshops on cancer, promoting healthy lifestyles in the community, and launching a daily awareness competition on social media.

His excellence, Shaikh Dr. Khalid bin Jabr Al-Thani, chairman of Qatar cancer society, stressed the importance of this week in raising awareness among the Gulf citizen about cancer, in light of the high numbers of people infected with it, not only in the GCC countries but also at the global level. Hence the need to unify media messages in the countries, as well as encourage early detection of disease and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle among all segments of society through exercise and healthy food.

According to the Qatar National Cancer Registry, 2,525 new cancer cases were diagnosed in 2019. The five most common types of cancer newly diagnosed in Qatar are breast, colorectal, thyroid, prostate, and leukemia – According to the latest incidence rates, 1 in 5 people in Qatar may be diagnosed with cancer before age 75. He added.

He explained, “Colorectal cancer is the most common among men in the Gulf, while breast cancer is the most common among women in the GCC countries. The Gulf Cancer Control Center predicted the emergence of 21,000 new cancer cases among GCC citizens by 2030.”

Focuses on the charity’s keenness in all events and occasions that achieve its goals in raising awareness about cancer, supporting people with cancer, professional development, and scientific research, and Qatar Cancer Society participated in this event to raise awareness about cancer-causing risk factors and encourage a healthy lifestyle among all segments of society; in particular, “40% protection; 40% treatment” is organized in the first week of February every year. He added.

Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) concluded a ‘You are precious’ campaign to raise awareness about cervical and ovarian cancer in partnership with leading biopharmaceutical company MSD and WellCare trading.

Cervical cancer is the fifth, and ovarian cancer is the sixth most newly diagnosed cancer among females in Qatar, according to Qatar National Cancer Registry (QNCR) – Ministry of Public Health in Qatar, in 2019.

The campaign launched last January and targeted all women in Qatari society, including many direct and virtual awareness lectures and workshops. It also included several awareness competitions to raise awareness of prevention methods, warning signs and symptoms, risk factors that increase the possibility of contracting it, and encouraging early detection of the disease through distributing 100 vouchers for women to do Pap Smear tests free in Al Ahli Hospital.

Many specialists participated in the campaign through a panel discussion about  “Facts and rumors about cervical and ovarian cancer,” especially facts about the HPV vaccine; they are Dr. Afaf Al-Ansari – Senior Consultant in Gynecologic Cancer Treatment and Surgery – Women’s Health and Research Center – Dr. Suha Shawqi Al-Bayat – Head of the Vaccinations Department – Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Noha Jibril – Family Medicine Consultant – Primary Health Care Corporation, Mrs. Fathia Salama – recovering from pre-cancerous cervical cancer, Mrs. Iman Al-Bardini – a beauty expert

The session targeted nearly 100 women and presented the services provided by the society in the field of cancer awareness, medical consultations/nutrition, and the beauty section.

Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) marked the 25th anniversary of its founding in 1997, with a ceremony attended by several ambassadors of foreign and Arab countries, public figures, partners, sponsors, and the media at St Regis Hotel, coinciding with the conclusion of the charity’s ‘Blossom’ breast cancer awareness campaign.

The guests included ambassadors of the US, Canada, Australia, Spain, Switzerland, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon, the charge d’affaires of Singapore, the deputy head of the French mission, the editors-in-chief of the press institutions, directors of television channels and radio stations in Qatar, and channel managers. The ceremony also witnessed honoring of the media partners and supporters.

Dr. Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani, chairman of QCS, welcomed the attendees, saying, “We have gathered here on one goal — emphasize the importance of partnerships in building communities. The Qatar Cancer Society completed its 25th year with your support and contributions. With your continued support, it will continue on its path, giving back in gratitude for the benevolence of this great country under our wise leadership.”

During his speech, he spoke about the establishment of the charity. “It was a committee composed of a group of ministries and state institutions until it was officially announced and established in 1997 and launched from a simple and modest headquarters. It later moved to a larger headquarters with the increase in the number of employees,” he said.

He continued, “In 2017, the Cancer Awareness Center was opened, a new qualitative leap in the march of QCS and the first of its kind in the Middle East. Under the Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities umbrella, the Qatar Cancer Society has become an active member of many international organizations, most notably the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). It is also a founding member of the International Cancer Prevention Consortium (ICPC), a member of the National Cancer Framework in Qatar, and a member of the Gulf Federation for Cancer Control.

“During 2021, the number of beneficiaries of QCS’ community awareness programs reached 450,000. As many as 26,000 beneficiaries received psychological and social support programs organized by the charity for people living with cancer. Nearly 7,000 beneficiaries of health sector workers’ capacity-building programs were also achieved.”

“In 2021, the number of beneficiaries of the financial support programs reached nearly 1,400, at a total cost of QR13 million. Nearly 980 patients were treated at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research and Sidra Medicine in the first half of 2022, at a total cost of QR6 million,” he added.

Dr. Irtefaa Al-Shammari, a breast-surgery specialist and honourary ambassador of QCS, also presented information that motivates everyone, especially women, to undergo screening tests for early cancer detection.

Aisha Al-Tamimi presented her experience of recovering from cancer, while her husband, Ahmed Abdulmalik, also shared the experience from the family’s view.

Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) participated in the World Cancer Congress 2022, held from October 18 to 20, in a hybrid event format at the International Conference Centre, Geneva, Switzerland. The QCS delegation was headed by Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani, chairman of QCS, Prof. Muhanned Harrah, manager of programs, and Dr. Hadi Mohamad Abu Rasheed, scientific advisor and head of the Cancer Awareness and Professional Development Department. Qatar Cancer society was the only Cancer Civil Society from the GCC and MENA regions that participated in the accompanying exhibition and attracted great attention from the global event. The charity shared its efforts in cancer awareness, and the booth focused on Qatar’s success in hosting the World Cup. QCS presented the research “Breast Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Amongst Women in Qatar.” The charity took part in developing the UICC

Resource “Antimicrobial resistance Control Supplement – The Challenge for the Cancer Community,” which was released as a recommendation of the congress. Qatar Cancer Society participated in two sessions. The first was “Stories of People Living With Cancer As An Innovative Methodology For Medical Education,” co-organized with Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar and Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (Qatar). The second session was “Because Cancer Doesn’t Wait, Childhood Cancer Awareness, Despite Pandemic, Is a Must,” co-organized with the Children’s Cancer Centre of Lebanon and Childhood Cancer International.

The congress was attended in person in the conference center by 2,000 scientists, medical specialists, NGO and civil society representatives, government officials, ministers of health, and high-level United Nations representatives. Many attended it online from 120 countries. The congress included more than 200 sessions. Highlights of the topics covered in the congress include: Advances in universal health coverage and cancer control, tobacco control – countering industry influence, regulating new products such as e-cigarettes, improving access to cancer medicines in low-income regions, the impact of Covid-19, hearing from people living with cancer – breaking the

Taboo around cancer and multidisciplinary survivorship care, advances in cancer screening, diagnostics, and treatment, including vaccines, immunotherapy, artificial intelligence and precision medicine, abstract-led sessions showcasing implementation science, and the threat of antimicrobial resistance for cancer patients, the need for infection control and the rational use of drugs During the congress, expertise was exchanged between the delegation of QCS and several officials, most notably Elisabete Weiderpass, director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer – World Health Organisation, Richard Shadyac, chief executive officer of ALSAC, the awareness and fundraising branch of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Isabel Mestres, chief executive officer, City Cancer Challenge Foundation, Maria Barbara Leon, chief operating officer, Union for International Cancer Control, and Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, first lady of Kebbi State, Nigeria, chief executive officer, Medicaid Cancer Foundation/First Ladies Against Cancer.

Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) Chairman HE Shaikh Dr. Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani received H.R.H Princess Dina Mired, former president of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), and HH Dr. Mona bint Fahd Al Said, assistant vice for International Cooperation at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU).

During the visit, the visitors toured QCS facilities and the Cancer Awareness Center. They listened to briefings about their role in spreading awareness of the disease through a set of programs targeting all groups in the society. They praised QCS’s efforts in promoting the culture of early detection of the disease, raising awareness of and supporting people living with cancer.

They discussed ways to enhance cooperation and the latest developments in cancer control, support, empowerment, and advocacy for people living with the disease, as well as promoting professional development and scientific research in cancer.

Sheikh Dr. Khalid appreciated the visit, expressing his happiness that the visit will positively impact the efforts of the awareness association.

He explained QCS’s activities and its role in spreading community awareness as well as supporting, empowering and advocating for people living with cancer, stressingQCS’s commitmentto achieve its mission to prevent cancer and control the burden in Qatar by working with partners to educate the community and engage in the professional development and scientific research in the field of cancer.

He added that the QCS’s vision is to be a community partnership platform to make Qatar a cancer prevention and mitigation pioneer.

He affirmed the society’s keenness to keep pace with global expertise to develop its programmes and plans, which would enrich its work through the exchange of ideas between specialists from various sectors and its implications for developing awareness and providing the best ways and services, especially as QCS is a member of Union for International Cancer Control which is one of the largest global institutions.

Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) welcomed football legend David Beckham and chef Giles Duley – CEO, Legacy of War Foundation, who together raised awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, especially healthy food. They participated with people living with cancer and their families at the charity’s headquarters in presenting a healthy cooking show that drew the interest of many people living with cancer and their families caring for them. Beckham and Duley also shared stories with attendees about how they overcame challenges and their favoritee food memories.

They shared the foods with the people living with cancer and their families. During the visit, the Qatar Cancer Society team explained the psychological impact of healthy foods on them. This visit came during the Doha Healthcare Week – World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) 2022.

Mona Ashkanani, general manager of QCS, welcomed the guests and stressed the importance of such visits in providing psychological support to people living with cancer and their families and raising their awareness of the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, especially healthy food.

These are in addition to providing all other means of support that would enhance their self-confidence and stress the importance of overcoming the difficulties and facing the challenges until we reach what we aspire to, she added. The general manager thanked all the attendees, led by Beckham and Duley, for their support for people living with cancer, and thanked the organisers of Doha Healthcare Week for allowing the charity to conduct the initiative.

Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has launched its first animated awareness film, ‘Foodobia,’ which targets children aged 6-12 years and aims to promote healthy lifestyles such as exercising and eating healthy food.

The launch of the film was part of marking September as International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Mona Ashkanani, general manager of QCS, said, “The launch of ‘Foodobia’ comes as a continuation of the programs launched by QCS for children, that enhance the concept of a healthy life among them, especially in light of the many temptations that the child is exposed to, such as eating unhealthy food, not exercising and replacing it with electronic games.”

The 5-minute film was produced in a simple, exciting, and fun way to attract the attention of children and send them an indirect message about the necessity of adopting a healthy life, she said.

Mona Ashkanani thanked the partners of the event, most notably Mazaya Company – the Silver Sponsor of the campaign; Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO); Suhail Holding Group – Qatar Telecom Company; and Ooredoo – the Strategic Partner.

She also thanked Novo Cinemas for supporting the film by showing it on its screens at several complexes and malls, including the Mall, The Pearl, Tawar Mall, Souq Waqif, and Mall of Qatar, wishing to continue the cooperation for the service of the country and everyone who resides on its land. “Raising awareness of cancer, especially among children, is not easy. Still, with your cooperation, we will reach what we seek: to create a physically and mentally healthy generation capable of carrying Qatar’s developmental march,” she added.

Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) chairman Sheikh Dr Khaled bin Jabor al-Thani has attended separate meetings with officials of Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services and Baylor St Luke’s Medical Centre.

Sheikh Dr Khaled and Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services EMEA business development director Talal Braidy discussed ways of co-operation and the latest developments in the issue of cancer control, patient care, and psychological and social support for people living with cancer, exchanging experiences and visits in conferences held between the two sides, as well as launching community awareness campaigns.

The meeting also presented the care services provided and available to patients in Qatar and the possibility of supporting regional co-operation with civil associations concerned with cancer, especially in Saudi Arabia.

Also discussed were ways to enrich the scientific contents of QCS’s website with the latest updates and points related to due diligence and governance for a potential international cooperation agreement.

The meeting was also attended by QCS scientific adviser Dr Hadi Mohamad Abu Rasheed and Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services country manager for Saudi Arabia, Najla al-Hudaib.

In the QCS chairman’s meeting with Baylor St Luke’s Medical Centre’s international services manager Ismail Abushaikha, the two parties discussed ways of co-operation and the latest developments in cancer control, support, empowerment, and advocacy for people living with the disease, as well as professional development and scientific research in the field of cancer, exchanging experiences and visits between the two sides and the healthcare services provided and available in Qatar.

At the end of the meetings, the guests toured the QCS awareness centre and expressed admiration for the services provided as well as the modern facilities.
Sheikh Dr Khaled welcomed all avenues of co-operation locally and internationally to develop QCS programmes and plans through the exchange of ideas and visions between experts from various sectors and utilising the same for developing cancer awareness and providing the best services.

“The Qatar Cancer Society spares no effort to achieve its vision to be the community partnership platform for making Qatar a leader in cancer prevention and its burden control, by working with partners to educate the community, support, empower and advocate for individuals living with cancer, and engage in professional development and scientific research,” he said.

QATAR Cancer Society (QCS) hosted (Hope Iftar) event as part of the Psychosocial and social support program for people living with cancer.

More than 300 patients, survivors, their families, Ambassadors of the Honorary Society, and several public figures and media personalities. Attend the ceremony at  Sheraton – Doha.

The event was presented by Nadine Al-Bitar and launched  “Go Back Stronger” initiative for some people living with cancer who decided to document their survival journey in a short video, namely Sharif Shaker and Muhammad Al-Iraqi, in cooperation with everybear company, supporting Hadara company. The event also included many paragraphs focused on psychological and societal support for this category.

Dr. Muhanned Adnan – consultant at QCS-  welcomed the attendees at the IFTAR, which the charity is keen to organize every year, aiming to provide psychological and societal support for people living with cancer, pointing out that the annual event is happening in conjunction with QCS’ mission to prevent cancer and control its burden in Qatar by working with its partners to educate the community and to support, empower and advocate individuals living with cancer,

He thanked everyone who contributed to supporting the society’s vision to be the community partnership platform for making Qatar a leader in cancer prevention and its burden control, especially the Ministry of Public Health – Qatar, Sidra Medicine, National Cancer Program, Primary Health Care Corporation, and Hamad Medical Corporation.

Qatar Cancer Society “ QCS “  has participated in the World Cancer Day campaign, which takes place on 4th February every year led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The Society is one of its members. In addition to being a member of the advisory committee for the global campaign for World Cancer Day, which was launched this year under the slogan “close the gap in cancer care.”

The campaign will continue for three years to unite People, organizations, and governments from all over the world joined forces to create awareness and increase equal opportunities in the field of cancer and its various services.

In this regard, QCS launched ” Win the challenge ” campaign, which will continue throughout the current month, to raise community awareness of the disease, methods of prevention, and early detection, and promote the concept of justice in the fight against cancer, through many events, activities, and competitions, in addition to virtual workshops and awareness campaigns across platforms.

Within the framework of the preventive measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the campaign was launched on various media and electronic platforms.

Several awareness videos for the campaign were produced with the participation of public figures, as well as awareness competitions on social media platforms and virtual awareness workshops about cancerA virtual workshop for capacity building of cancer awareness promoters and another in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health for health workers were held as part of the campaign, in addition to publishing stories of hope on many platforms and involving people living with cancer in virtual workshops, as well as a fundraising campaign through Ooredoo app using Nojoom points.

Many institutions and companies in Qatar participated in the World Cancer Day campaign, including Ooredoo – Strategic Partner – Qatar Charity – Humanitarian Partner, Jassim, and Hamad bin Jassim Charitable Foundation, Qatar Aluminum, Shail Holding Group, and  Masraf Al Rayyan and Facilities Management and Maintenance Company, L.L.C (FMM), In addition, some of Doha’s landmarks are lit in orange, to signify the celebration of World Cancer Day.

Dr. Hadi Mohammad Abu Rasheed – Department of Professional Development and Scientific Research at Qatar Cancer Society – Member of the Advisory Committee of the International Campaign for World Cancer Day  ‘ said The World Cancer Day campaign, extending from 2022-2024, aims to raise awareness about justice in the fight against cancer, and calls on the cancer community, governments, and health care providers to take measures commensurate with national needs and resources to reduce inequality, through several efforts.

 The most important of which are develop comprehensive public health policies that focus on the individual and take into account the peculiarities and needs of different populations, and Participate in community outreach, expand the use of technical innovations (digital health, mobile testing units, self-sampling test kits), as well as provide the necessary resources so that they can be used more widely.

World Cancer Day 2022 is led by the theme “Close the care gap,” recognizing the power of knowledge and challenging assumptions. This first year of a new three-year campaign on equity raises awareness about the lack of equity in cancer care and barriers for many people in accessing services and receiving the care they need. He added.