Specialist: fewer cancers in the Gulf in the world

Mecca – Al Khobar

The University of Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal and the head of the Gulf Campaign for Cancer Awareness, Dr. Fatima Al-Melhem, confirmed that the Gulf countries were the least affected by cancer in the world, pointing out that more than 119,000 cancer cases had been recorded in the region in 10 years. Gulf, according to the national registers of the GCC countries, where the cancer rate per 100 000 inhabitants is between 72 and 158 cases, which is well below the high rate recorded in other countries.

At the launch of the Gulf cancer awareness campaign, Al-Mulhim pointed out that February was chosen for the campaign as it was the world's cancer month and that most diseases in the Gulf were caused by lifestyle changes, increasing smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity and other environmental factors as well as mutual mutations.

She explained that the goal of the campaign is to educate the public about cancer and the factors of infection, as well as early detection methods and its importance to improve the chances of recovery, to follow a physical activity and to adopt healthy eating habits, and to maintain the weight of your body for a long life, without cancer. National disease control programs as a shared responsibility of the governmental and non-governmental sectors.

The slogan of the campaign was based on reports and results announced by the World Health Organization that 40% of cancers can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle, while the other 40 cancers can be cured by early diagnosis and treatment.

The campaign, organized by the University, aimed to raise public awareness and fight against cancer through an exhibition gathering several departments, colleges and departments, and comprising about 10 pillars. Four types of cancers have been highlighted: cervical cancer, colon, lungs and breasts. The largest number of cancers affecting Gulf citizens.