Introduction
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer for both men
and women and the second leading cause of death in Qatar. According to the
Qatar National Cancer Registry – Ministry of Public Health, breast cancer ranks
as the top cancer in Qatar (17.42 percent), followed by colon cancer at (10.55
percent). The highest incidence of breast cancer, at (16.2 percent), occurs in
women aged between 45-49 years old. The World Health Organization (WHO) has
identified breast cancer program as one of the major goals for public health
initiatives.
Care for patients with breast cancer is rapidly changing as
a result of medical and scientific advances. There is increasing focus on
providing multi-disciplinary care for patients with complex diseases such as
breast cancer through the use of integrated teams of professionals representing
the relevant treatment modalities, including surgery, radiation therapy, and
systemic medical interventions. Sharing the most up to date techniques and
discussing the latest research in the field has been proven to greatly limit
adverse outcomes, improve patient outcomes and consequently save lives.
About the Prevalence
of Breast Cancer- Facts and Figures
- Breast cancer continues to be the most common
form of cancer that affects women and the second leading cause of cancer related
deaths worldwide.
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Incidence rates are higher in developed
countries (greater than 80 per 100,000) than in most of the developing
countries (less than 40 per 100,000).
-
Mortality rates in developed regions is lower
(approximately six to 19 per 100,000) because of higher survival rates
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Observed improvements in breast cancer survival
rates in more developed regions have been attributed to the introduction of
population-based screening using mammography and the systemic use of adjuvant
therapies and the evolution of surgical management.
- According to a 2004 study, the Arab population
has an estimated size of 301,227,000 people, living in 22 countries across
North Africa and West Asia, including the Middle East.
-
Breast cancer is the most common malignant
disease in women from Arab populations, comprising 14 to 42 percent of all
tumors,
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Data from the Gulf Center for Cancer
Registration show that Bahrain had 53.4 cases of breast cancer per 100,000
women per year, followed by Qatar (48.2 per 100,000 per year), Kuwait (46.6 per
100,000 per year), United Arab Emirates (22.8 per 100,000 per year), Oman (17.5
per 100,000 per year), and Saudi Arabia (14.8 per 100,000 per year).
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From 2000 to 2010, the population of Qatar has
increased from 744,483 to 1,696,563 and, at the same time, the incidence rates
of breast cancer has increased from 45 per 100,000 in 2003 to 2007 to 56 per
100,000 in 2008 to 2011.
-
Qatari patients accounted for 32 percent of all
the diagnosed breast cancers in females in Qatar. The prevalent age group,
between both Qatari and non-Qatari patients, was 40 to 50 years old (36 percent
of all affected women).
About the Masterclass
This is a clinically oriented activity that has been
designed for devoted physicians, medical oncologist, pathologists,
gynecologists, surgeons, and clinicians who are almost exclusively dedicated to
clinical oncology. It also targets physicians at the Primary Health Care
Corporation (PHCC) and those in the private sector wishing to improve their
skills in the management of breast cancer.
This is the first masterclass in breast cancer management
and part of HMC’s continuous efforts to combine innovative research, first
class education, and excellent clinical care, to promote medical knowledge and
share information amongst oncology experts and healthcare professionals working
in the field.
The event is organized by the Breast Cancer team at the
National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) – HMC under the theme: “Moving towards Comprehensive Breast Cancer
Care”.
The masterclass will explore current research and discuss
clinicians’ experiences of breast cancer care in the region. Attendees will
also share knowledge and plan the future development of collaborative work including
the prevention, early detection, and local and systemic treatment of breast
cancer with a focus on a multidisciplinary approach.
Masterclass
attendees will:
- Share the latest findings and information on
breast cancer patient care and facilitate best practice knowledge.
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Share information about up-to-date research,
practical programs and models of breast cancer care.
-
Share experiences and discuss the future
collaborative work including the prevention, early detection, local and
systemic treatment of breast cancer.
-
Highlight the role of multi-disciplinary care
for patients with complex diseases in improving health care outcomes and
increasing patient satisfaction
Throughout this two day event, attendees will learn about
and discuss a full range of issues in clinical oncology, breast cancer
management, and practice-orientated training.
