Participants in a workshop
Doha: Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), in cooperation with Qatar Red Crescent, recently launched the “Protect Yourself” campaign to raise awareness of liver cancer within the framework of July, which is the global awareness month for this type of cancer and ways to prevent it.
The campaign was launched through the electronic platforms of the charity through a series of awareness posters and videos. It also included a series of awareness-raising workshops and lectures, especially targeting workers’ centres.
Dr. Hadi Mohamad Abu Rasheed, Head of Professional Development and Scientific Research Department at QCS, said, “According to Qatar National Cancer Registry (QNCR) - Ministry of Public Health – 2018, liver cancer is the sixth most diagnosed cancer among males from all nationalities, and there were 74 newly diagnosed cases with liver cancer in Qatar. 82% of these cases in Qatar were males and 18% were females. 73% of liver cancer cases in Qatar were non-Qatari, while 27% were Qatari, pointing that 50-54 years old were the highest age categories with liver cancer incidences and staging: more than 60% were late stages III and IV.”
Many risk factors can increase the chances of developing liver cancer. The most important is gender as its is more common among males than females.
Most people diagnosed are 55 and above; chronic viral hepatitis B&C these infections can also lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Dr. Rasheed said that other risk factors include “people with type 2 diabetes tend to be overweight or obese, which can lead to health problems in the liver and occupational exposure to chemicals”.
He stressed the importance of early detection of the disease, and it is often hard to find liver cancer early because signs and symptoms usually do not appear at an early stage.
Dr. Ahmed Deeb Idlaby, Head of Health Education in the Medical Affairs Sector of Qatar Red Crescent, said, “To strengthen the community partnership between Qatar Red Crescent and Qatar Cancer Society, some awareness activities have been carried out for workers in health centres run by Qatar Red Crescent with the full support of the Ministry of Public Health, to raise awareness about the prevention of liver cancer.
“Our awareness messages were embodied through direct communication and in a simple language that all workers understand.”
