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800 new cases of cancer
diagnosed in Sultanate annually
Plans to set up a radio therapy centre at Royal Hospital
By Maryam Khalfan
MUSCAT — Studies are
currently under way at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) to detect the genetic
abnormality among women who develop breast cancer at early age, says an
oncologist. “About 2–3 cases of breast cancer is diagnosed among women
between 30 – 35 years of age who do not have any family history of the
disease, which is considered early for women in this category of age group
to develop breast cancer, said Dr Taha bin Mahsen Juma al Lawati, Surgical
Oncologist, Royal Hospital.
In most cases, this type of cancer is usually more aggressive due to the
density of the breasts that even makes it difficult for a woman to
distinguish between the normal mammary glands and the abnormal type until
when the disease has extensively spread, said Al Lawati in a chat with the
Observer on the sidelines of an event held to mark the World Cancer Day.
However, with regular self–examination of the breasts as the best tool for
early detection, a woman can still notice any change in her breasts,
especially that in most cases, the woman is the first to notice any
alteration in her breasts, he said.
“Currently, about 800 new cases of diverse types of cancers are diagnosed
among people of different categories and age groups in the Sultanate. Of all
the cases, about 106 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed every year of
which 3-4 cases are male related breast cancer”, stated the oncologist.
Breast cancer, especially among the male is easier to diagnose and treat
because they lack fat mass a compared to their female counterpart. In most
cases, breast cancer is easier to treat and cure if diagonosed early, but,
if the disease is diagnosed in late stage it recurs.
The increase in the incidence of cancer related complications in the country
is attributed to the extent of awareness programmes pioneered by the
National Association for Cancer Awareness to spread knowledge about diverse
kinds of cancer in the community. The increase in the rate of new cancer
cases, particularly of the breast is also accredited to awareness programmes
to encourage women to get forth for treatment and to break the stigma
against the professionalism of male doctors. Other reasons for the increase
is also attributed to the effort of the government to facilitate the
availability of mammogram machines to diagnose the disease from varied
hospitals within the country.
The hospitals are equipped with satellite units that are hooked up with the
Oncology Centre at the Royal Hospital, that has easened the task of
diagnosis and the procedure for follow-up. Treatment can be done at either
the Royal Hospital or at the local satellite hospitals spread around the
country notably at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and Khoula Hospital
in the Governorate of Muscat. Other major hospitals providing similar
treatment are located in Rustaq, Sohar, Buraimi, Ibri, Nizwa, Ibra, Sur, and
the Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah, stated the official.
The Ministry of Health further plans to set up a Radio Therapy Centre at the
Royal Hospital to further intensify the medical services needed in treatment
of cancer. “Weekly, a committee board comprising of oncology experts and
technicians meet to discuss about all the special and complicated forms of
cancer seen among patients from all hospitals all over the country including
the private sector. The meeting is attended by a oncologists from the
medical, surgical and paediatric oncology as well as a pathologist, and a
radiologist to decide the policy of treatment of difficult cases”, said Al
Lawati.
Any form of cancer has different risk factors and some of them can not be
changed. Such kinds of cancer include the genetic, sex and age related types
to name few. However, several other types of cancer can be prevented by
avoiding the involved contributory factors such as avoiding tobacco use and
exposure to passive smoke, maintaining a healthy diet and protecting against
cancer causing infections. Development of other types of cancer can also be
reduced by avoiding excessive exposure to the sun and by limiting alcohol
consumption. |
