Syria participates for the first time in the Arab Gulf Cancer Awareness Week

Damascus, (ST) – Syria participates for the first time in the Arab Gulf Cancer Awareness Week, which starts today and continues until the seventh of next February, through the establishment of many awareness cultural activities and free early detection campaigns for “breast, cervical and prostate” cancers in various governorates.

Awareness week activities are organized by the Syrian Association of Oncologists under the auspices of the Syrian Doctors Syndicate and its branches in the governorates, in cooperation with the Arab Doctors Association for Cancer Control and the Gulf Cancer Union.

 The Syrian Arab Red Crescent, Basma Association for Supporting Children with Cancer, the Syrian Breast Diseases Association, in addition to a number of civil society associations will also participate in the Awareness week activities.

During a meeting with media reporters yesterday at the Syrian Doctors Syndicate, Dr. Maha Manachi, the Head of the Syrian Association of Oncologists, said that this humanitarian and societal activity is organized in conjunction with the International Cancer Day, which falls on the fourth of February. “This day which is internationally known as the month of awareness and education about this disease, as global statistics indicate an increase of the cure rate is 90% the sooner it is detected” she added.

Dr. Ghassan Fandy, the Head of the Syrian Doctors Syndicate, drew attention to the Syndicate’s keenness to embrace and sponsor such activities in coordination with foreign medical organizations, whether Arab or foreign, as they contribute to exchanging experiences and information and being informed of the latest developments in the areas of treatment, methods of diagnosis and awareness of this subject.

Cancer is currently the number one cause of death in general, and breast cancer is the most common tumor in women, according to Dr. Muhammad Qadri, the Head of the Syrian Society of Breast Diseases, who affirmed that, breast cancer in Syria constitutes more than 35 percent of newly diagnosed cancer cases.

 Dr. Khaled Ghanem, Pediatric Oncology Consultant and Medical Director of the Basma Specialized Unit for the Treatment of Pediatric Oncology at Al-Biruni University Hospital, spoke about the Syrian Society of Breast Diseases’ role and activities that cover all Syrian children with cancer through its various programs. He indicated that the Basma Unit in Al-Biruni Hospital receives 400 new cases annually and provides them with integrated services from diagnosis to chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.

Dr. Muhammad Al-Awak, member of the Board of Directors of the Syrian Association of Oncology and Secretary of the Syrian Breast Society, pointed out that this week will be full of free examinations for “breast, cervical and prostate” cancers. He called on citizens to turn to the designated centers and not hesitate to conduct examinations and attend educational activities in this field.

The global census expects that the proportion of new cancer cases for the year 2040 will reach about 40 million new cases, while during the years 2018-2019. There were about 19 million new cases, and this requires taking all necessary measures at the level of primary and secondary prevention seriously and effectively, and supporting cancer awareness and detection programs early and avoiding risk factors.

 Raghda Sawas