‘Don’t Wait for Symptoms!’ is the message continuing to reverberate around Qatar this month as ‘Screen For Life’, Qatar’s National Breast and Bowel Cancer Screening programme, continues to drive bowel cancer awareness across the country. The decision to extend the campaign came as a result of high community engagement and immense demand on screening.

The extension of the awareness drive follows a hugely successful month-long campaign to mark Bowel Cancer Awareness Month to educate the public. Because bowel cancer can be a non-symptomatic illness, it is paramount to undergo screening as a precautionary measure.

The ‘Don’t Wait for Symptoms’ messaging continues through a widespread campaign, incorporating advertisements in print media, on TV and in malls, and on national radio. Other activities also continued like awareness lectures and registration desks where a nurse was present to explain the bowel cancer screening test using the FIT kit. During these activities, educational material was distributed in addition to the programme’s newsletter, a quarterly publication that includes the latest news and activities of the programme.

The initiatives will highlight the benefits of screening in the early detection of cancer and potential to save lives. The public are also reminded that they can carry out the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) with ease in the privacy of their own home and they can collect their complementary kit from one of the PHCC screening centres.

PHCC Cancer Programme Manager Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha express her satisfaction with the campaign, which according to her has been a great success and exceeded expectations.

The campaign is ongoing throughout the month of May. Men and women within the age range of 50 to 74 years old can get a free screening at any one of the ‘Screen For Life’ facilities at Al Wakra, Lebaib and Rawdat Al Khail Health Centres. Appointments can also be arranged through this number: 800 1112.