
QCS unveils liver cancer awareness campaign
Doha
Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has launched an awareness campaign titled 'Protect Yourself' this July, in conjunction with Liver Cancer Awareness Month. The campaign is taking place at Al-Hemaila Health Centre and Mesaimeer Health Centre, in collaboration with the Qatar Red Crescent. This initiative is part of QCS's ongoing efforts to reach various segments of society and raise awareness about one of the most common and impactful types of cancer.
The campaign particularly targets blue collared workers, who are considered among the most vulnerable groups to liver cancer risk factors. These include potential exposure to Hepatitis B or C viruses, or daily contact with hazardous chemicals in the workplace, which may increase the risk of developing liver cancer over time. The campaign emphasizes the importance of adopting preventive behaviours in the workplace, receiving necessary vaccinations, and undergoing regular medical checkups for early detection.
According to the National Cancer Registry published by the Ministry of Public Health – Qatar in 2020, liver cancer ranks fifth among the most common cancers in men in the country. This highlights the urgent need to intensify awareness and educational efforts, particularly among high-risk populations, and to provide them with the necessary information on prevention and early detection.
Nour Makkiyah, health educator at Qatar Cancer Society, stated: 'This campaign aligns with the Society's mission to enhance community awareness of cancer, with a focus on prevention and early detection. We have been keen to deliver our educational messages in multiple languages to ensure they are understood by all community members, especially workers from diverse nationalities. We've observed a strong engagement, reflecting the community's eagerness to access reliable health information.'
She added: 'The 'Protect Yourself' campaign is part of a series of year-round programs implemented by QCS, aimed at promoting a culture of prevention and early screening, which ultimately contributes to reducing cancer incidence and mortality in Qatar.'
The campaign covers several key areas, including: Definition and symptoms of liver cancer, such as unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain or swelling, nausea, and changes in urine or stool colour.
About risk factors she said 'include Hepatitis B or C infection, smoking, alcohol consumption, type 2 diabetes, physical inactivity, and unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Prevention methods, according to Makkiyah, include: 'Vaccination against Hepatitis B, avoiding the sharing of personal items, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, achieving a balanced weight, and engaging in regular physical activity. Routine medical checkups are also crucial, especially for high-risk individuals or those with a family or medical history of liver disease.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Red Crescent and its Canadian counterpart launch project to support Palestinian families in Qatar
DOHA: The Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), in cooperation with the Canadian Red Cross and with funding from the Canadian government, announced the launch of a joint project to support Palestinian families hosted in Qatar by providing psychosocial support services for a period of six months. The announcement came during a joint press conference heldunder the auspices of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Canadian counterpart, with the participation of a number of officials, including Acting Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign AffairsSultan bin Ahmed Al Asiri; Ambassador of Canada to the State of Qatar HEIsabelle Martin; Secretary-General of the Qatar Red CrescentFaisal Mohammed Al Emadi; Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in QatarBasma Tabaja; and a number of representatives from the Qatar Red Crescent and the Canadian Red Cross. In a statement on this occasion, Minister of State for International Cooperation HEMariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnadexpressed her appreciation for the generous initiative from the Canadian side, represented by the Canadian Red Cross, stressing that this contribution is in line with the State of Qatar's priorities in the humanitarian field and reflects the values and principles established by divine laws and international conventions. The Minister of State for International Cooperation added that partnerships between non-governmental organizations contribute to developing the skills of humanitarian workers and enhancing the effectiveness of the response, which positively impacts communities affected by crises. For his part, Al Emadi explained that the agreement aims to provide financial support worth 500,000 Canadian dollars to enhance psychosocial health services provided to Palestinian guests in Qatar as a result of the war in the Gaza Strip. He indicated that the project includes a wide range of community activities. Al Emadi added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' sponsorship of this agreement embodies Qatar's official and popular support for the Palestinian people, noting that this support encompasses both political and humanitarian aspects, through the Qatar Fund for Development and in partnership with Qatari and international institutions, most notably the Qatar Red Crescent. For her part, Martin, praised the efforts of the Qatar Red Crescent, stressing that Canada is proud to stand with the State of Qatar in this joint humanitarian endeavor in support of the displaced in Gaza. The project aims to enrich the psychological and social aspects of beneficiaries through community participation, group discussions, psychological counseling, sports and artistic activities, and educational and recreational events. The Qatar Red Crescent has a specialized relief team of 50 personnel trained to provide psychosocial support to those affected by conflicts and disasters as part of its external relief missions.


Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
QCS unveils liver cancer awareness campaign
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has launched an awareness campaign titled 'Protect Yourself' this July, in conjunction with Liver Cancer Awareness Month. The campaign is taking place at Al-Hemaila Health Centre and Mesaimeer Health Centre, in collaboration with the Qatar Red Crescent. This initiative is part of QCS's ongoing efforts to reach various segments of society and raise awareness about one of the most common and impactful types of cancer. The campaign particularly targets blue collared workers, who are considered among the most vulnerable groups to liver cancer risk factors. These include potential exposure to Hepatitis B or C viruses, or daily contact with hazardous chemicals in the workplace, which may increase the risk of developing liver cancer over time. The campaign emphasizes the importance of adopting preventive behaviours in the workplace, receiving necessary vaccinations, and undergoing regular medical checkups for early detection. According to the National Cancer Registry published by the Ministry of Public Health – Qatar in 2020, liver cancer ranks fifth among the most common cancers in men in the country. This highlights the urgent need to intensify awareness and educational efforts, particularly among high-risk populations, and to provide them with the necessary information on prevention and early detection. Nour Makkiyah, health educator at Qatar Cancer Society, stated: 'This campaign aligns with the Society's mission to enhance community awareness of cancer, with a focus on prevention and early detection. We have been keen to deliver our educational messages in multiple languages to ensure they are understood by all community members, especially workers from diverse nationalities. We've observed a strong engagement, reflecting the community's eagerness to access reliable health information.' She added: 'The 'Protect Yourself' campaign is part of a series of year-round programs implemented by QCS, aimed at promoting a culture of prevention and early screening, which ultimately contributes to reducing cancer incidence and mortality in Qatar.' The campaign covers several key areas, including: Definition and symptoms of liver cancer, such as unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain or swelling, nausea, and changes in urine or stool colour. About risk factors she said 'include Hepatitis B or C infection, smoking, alcohol consumption, type 2 diabetes, physical inactivity, and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Prevention methods, according to Makkiyah, include: 'Vaccination against Hepatitis B, avoiding the sharing of personal items, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, achieving a balanced weight, and engaging in regular physical activity. Routine medical checkups are also crucial, especially for high-risk individuals or those with a family or medical history of liver disease.'


Qatar Tribune
29-06-2025
- Qatar Tribune
QCS holds awareness drive for workers
Tribune News Network Doha As part of its ongoing efforts to promote public health awareness, the Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), in collaboration with the Qatar Red Crescent, launched a comprehensive awareness campaign on the occasion of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which is observed every June. This campaign specifically targeted the worker community through a series of intensive awareness events held at Mesaimeer Health Centre and Freej Abdul Aziz Health Centre, with the participation of medical and educational professionals and a wide turnout of workers from various nationalities and occupational backgrounds. The campaign aimed to highlight skin cancer, one of the most common cancers worldwide, with a focus on high-risk groups, particularly those working in outdoor environments who are exposed to direct and prolonged sunlight without adequate protection. The initiative sought to increase preventive awareness and encourage the adoption of healthy behaviours that reduce the risk of developing the disease. A key feature of the campaign was its multilingual approach, with educational content delivered in several languages to match the cultural and linguistic diversity of the workers. This contributed significantly to enhancing engagement and understanding, ensuring that vital health messages were communicated effectively. The campaign also included the distribution of educational brochures, visual presentations, and interactive sessions where participants could ask questions and receive expert answers. In this context, Nour Mekkia, health educator at QCS, stated: 'These awareness campaigns are a true embodiment of Qatar National Vision 2030, which places human health at the heart of national priorities. Since the Society's founding over 25 years ago, we have been committed to delivering health awareness messages to all segments of society, believing that health is a fundamental right for everyone.' She also outlined the main risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing skin cancer, including Direct and prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV radiation without protective measures such as sunscreen or protective clothing, and Daily exposure to harmful chemicals, especially in industrial and construction sectors She highlighted key warning signs that warrant attention, such as Unusual skin spots or changes in the shape or colour of existing moles, unexplained bleeding, persistent sores that do not heal and Chronic itching or peeling in certain areas of the skin Mekkia stressed the importance of early detection, which plays a decisive role in increasing survival rates, improving treatment outcomes, and minimizing complications. In conclusion, Mekkia extended her heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all supporters of the campaign, especially ExxonMobil, one of the Society's key partners in 2025, as well as the Qatar Red Crescent for its active participation in executing the awareness initiative. She underscored the importance of activating community partnerships in support of health initiatives, noting that strengthening cooperation among various institutions is a fundamental pillar for achieving comprehensive development, particularly in the health sector. 'Combating cancer is, above all, a humanitarian responsibility that requires the concerted efforts of both public and private entities to ensure the continuity of purposeful initiatives that serve the community and enhance public health and well-being.'