The HMC staff at a booth.
A comprehensive awareness programme with a series of educational activities has been launched to raise awareness of head and neck cancers as part of activities highlighting Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month.
According to the National Qatar Cancer Registry at the Ministry of Public Health, in 2015 head and neck cancers accounted for approximately four percent of overall malignant cancers in Qatar. Of these cases, more than 60 percent were diagnosed as late stage cancers. Most cases occurred in individuals aged between 45 and 49 years.
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the Qatar Cancer Society and Merck Medicine Company have partnered in the awareness program. With a focus on both improving the quality of care for head and neck cancer patients and decreasing incidences of these cancers, the collaboration between the three organizations aims to highlight the importance of early detection and treatment.
The joint initiative encompasses a comprehensive awareness program with a series of educational activities. On 17 April, awareness events were held at HMC’s National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR), Al Ahli Hospital, Mall of Qatar, and three primary health centers. The events targeted clinical and non-clinical staff, patients and their families, and the general public.
Experts report that the most common head and neck cancers form in the nasal cavity, sinus, lips, mouth, salivary glands, throat or larynx. While these cancers are less common than others, they are often complex to treat.
Dr Mohammed Ussama Al Homsi, Senior Consultant in the Oncology Department at NCCCR said, “We are concerned about the lack of awareness of head and neck cancers. Symptoms may be as simple as a sore throat that doesn’t go away or a lump or sore that doesn’t heal. I take this opportunity to stress the significance of frequent screening as a preventive measure.”
“A screening for head and neck cancer should be included in one’s annual health checkup. Just like any other cancer, when found early, most cancers in the head and neck can be treated and cured. In other words, the earlier the disease is detected and diagnosed, the more treatment options that are available and the chances of living longer are increased,” he added.
Dr Al Homsi added that people with certain risk factors have an increased susceptibility to head and neck cancers. “While smoking remains the leading risk factor for this type of cancer, the human papilloma virus infection is emerging as a possible risk factor for certain types of head and neck cancer.”
