JEDDAH — The head of Basalamah Chair at King Abdulaziz University said more than 4,500 women have registered for an early cancer detection program.
Professor Khalid Sait noted there was a lack of health awareness among women of the importance of the early detection of cervical cancer, often leading to a late detection where the cancer may not be curable.
He pointed out 200,000 mobile messages were sent to women in Jeddah encouraging them to have Pap smear tests during the summer, adding that the program targets women aged 30 to 65 and women who have been married for three years.
"It is a free program and targets Saudi and expatriate women alike," he added.
Sait explained there are 40 health centers who are cooperating in the project and three-day training courses have been held for women doctors in these locations.
The university hospital will also begin receiving the smears due to an agreement between the chair and the Ministry of Health.
He noted cervical cancer is the second most widely spread cancer among women after breast cancer, with around half a million cases discovered every year.
"This cancer is caused by many factors such as venereal diseases and medicines that reduce women’s immunity," he said.
He said that there are no obvious symptoms for cervical cancer, but there are some indications such as vaginal bleeding, lack of appetite for no known reason and weight reduction in a short time.
"Some 150 new cases are discovered, 55 deaths are recorded every year and this is expected to increase to 309 new cases and 117 deaths a year by 2025 unless more efforts are made to combat this disease," he said.
Sait noted there are three possible scenarios when changes are discovered in the cervix; these changes will disappear, they may remain without causing any problems or they may develop into cancer.
He asked women to register on the program by calling 012-6408222, extensions 11521, 11523 or 11851, or through the website www.jcsp.sa.com.
Mohammad Dawood - Saudi Gazette
