JEDDAH — Students from Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies (ISNC) recently organized a cancer awareness campaign for the top five types of cancer among males and females in Saudi Arabia. The theme of the campaign was to bring more cancer awareness among the visiting population, clear their misconceptions, encourage the target population for screening and provide general information about each cancer. The project "Wikaa — Prevention: Fight the 5" was supervised by Dr. Helen Gouse (Community Coordinator for Medicine Program) and Dr. Yasser Bakr, Internal Medicine. They said the mere word ‘cancer' causes panic. "So we want to bring more awareness among general public. The earlier you diagnose the better chances of treatment, prognosis and survival." Cancer incidents have increased around 26-fold for thyroid cancer; approximately 10-fold in breast, colon, bladder and uterine cancers; 8-fold for prostate cancer; 5-fold for renal cancer; 4-fold for pancreatic and ovarian cancer; 3.5-fold for lung cancer; 3-fold for liver cancer, and 2 folds for lymphoma, leukemia and gastric cancer due to current life-style changes. The top five categories of cancer among Saudi male are colorectal, non-hodgkin, leukemia, thyroid and lung. The top five cancers among Saudi females are breast, thyroid, colorectal, uterine and leukemia. In terms of public health policy, knowledge regarding the most prevalent types of cancer can aid in optimizing distribution of resources. Screening programs, such as those for breast, colorectal cancer have reduced mortality rates. However, studies show that use of available screening facilities in Saudi Arabia has not been well utilized and is variable across regions. The ability to direct high risk patient awareness initiatives toward available screening facilities would therefore be beneficial. Introduction of education programs at schools and public places for reducing risk factors such as smoking, and improving diet and lifestyle may also be fruitful. In addition to aiding prevention and diagnosis of cancer, accurate epidemiological data can be used for allocation of funding for research on treatments. The students had a very memorable experience interacting, educating and correcting the myths of general public. They were excited to conduct similar events in future at schools and other public places. Ms. Maha AlShawi, a 4th year student at ISNC said, "The women learned the correct method of breast self-examination (BSE) and agreed to perform it every month." The Dean Dr. Rashad Hassan Habibulla Alkashgari and Vice Deans Dr. Abdulaziz Al Yahya: Clinical Pharmacy Program, Prof. Zainy Banjar: Medicine Program, Dr. Othman Wali: Dentistry Program and Dr. Huda Othman: Female Section of the college were active in motivating and engaging in public health education and community services in order to enhance Saudi Arabia's health care especially in the areas of prevention and early diagnosis of diseases. The contribution of Hassan Mohammed AlBabbad and Ms. Saraa Abdulaziz Kashhah, designer Louay Fadi Alhaj Sayed Drra and content designers Ms. Jana Hisham Linjawi, Ms. Tasneem Nawal Momen and Abdulrahim Jamal in making the program a success cannot be ignored. The ISNC students were also thankful to volunteers from National Committee for Anti-Smoking and Dr. Suban Mohammed Gouse, head of pathology division for sharing their posters and brochures. AlThunayan Hamad Bagaisal of Hammad Modern Printing Press sponsored the souvenir calendar 2020.
