On behalf of Dr. Bandar Al Knawy, the CEO of National Guard Health Affairs and the President of King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Professor Rashed Al Rashed, the Vice President of Postgraduate Education - KSAU-HS has launched the Second Breast Cancer Symposium organized by Princess Nourah Oncology Center in National Guard Health Affairs – Western Region in collaboration with American and German universities. This symposium corresponds to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month on 20 – 21 of October 2009. Universities such as Harper University, Karmanos Cancer Institute for cancer treatment, Detroit, Michigan, Wayne State University, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Helios Oncology Center, Berlin, Germany will be present.
A selected number of medical specialists and experts from inside and outside the Kingdom will participate in this symposium where a lot of issues relating to breast cancer will be discussed to achieve a higher level health care.
Dr. Abdulwahab Andejani, the chief of Princess Norah Oncology Center and the head of the organizing committee, stated that certain topics will be discussed in the symposium such as statistics of breast cancer worldwide, early detection and prevention of breast cancer, radiations role in the treatment of breast cancer, recent developments in diagnostic radiology, challenges and obstacles in treating breast cancer, the latest cosmetic surgery in breast cancer plus modern methods in treating breast cancer by genetic engineering and new techniques in treating breast cancer in men , pregnant women and the elderly.
It is important to stress that breast tumors can be treated and cured if detected in the early stages through spreading awareness about diagnostic methods as the following:
•Self-examining the breast every month to note any abnormalities.
•Annual check ups to make sure that there are no tumors.
•Mammogram for early diagnosis.
This conference aims to spread awareness among women on how to perform self-examinations and to consult a specialist when suspecting abnormal bumps or lumps in the breast.
Dr. Abdulwahab Andejani also stated that the number of cancer cases in the Kingdom are about 5500 to 6000 case per year, and the ratio of cases from men to women are about 51% to 49%, that female cancer cases are about 3000 a year in which breast cancer represents 22% that is about 650 breast cancer cases a year. He also pointed out that Princess Norah Oncology Center receives one third of breast cancer cases diagnosed in Saudi Arabia which amounts to around 200 cases per year.
Last but not least, Dr. Andejani said that the month of October will be dedicated to raising awareness and early detection and prevention of breast cancer, stressing the importance of catching it in its first stages as it greatly increases the chances of getting cursed.