JEDDAH — The Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies (ISNC), partnered with Ministry of Health to create awareness on breast cancer and its screening among Saudi nationals in Jeddah. Dean Dr. Rashad Hassan Habibulla Alkashgari conceptualized the cancer awareness, prevention and screening. He motivates the students and faculties to actively engage in public health education and community services in order to enhance Saudi Arabian health care especially in the areas of prevention and early diagnosis of diseases. His active leadership played a vital role to bring community service as an institutional strategy and integrated it in the mission of ISNC and its program. The project's mission on bringing "Awareness on Breast Cancer and its screening among Saudi population" was supervised by Dr. Helen Gouse (Community Coordinator for Medicine Program) and Suban Mohammed Gouse (Head of Pathology Division). They are the authors of breast cancer awareness book "Know Your Breast" which will be released in Arabic soon. They said that breast cancer is the most common cancer among Saudi females and second cause of death among cancers affecting Saudi females according to the Saudi Cancer Registry. The scientific data derived from various studies revealed that although mammography facilities are widely available but fewer women are adopting this investigative procedure. The estimated burden of cancer in Saudi Arabia (as well as globally) is going to be very high by 2025. According to global statistics, 1 in 8 women will be affected by breast cancer in their lifetime. The incidence of breast cancer is rising globally, in Saudi Arabia there is a prevalence of 21.8%. Among cancers in Saudi women, 1 in 4 is breast cancer. The first campaign was carried out on Oct. 5, 2019 at Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, inviting the local public, mothers and relatives of students. Further an event was carried out on Oct. 8 at ISNC for students and faculties. The major agenda during the campaign is to ensure that all participants learn about the importance of early signs and symptoms of breast cancer as well as various periodical screening modalities in an evidence-based manner to minimize their chances of getting this disease and increase their survival likelihood.
