Number of cancer patients in Oman on the rise

Muscat: The number of cancer patients in Oman is on the rise, said Yuthar Al Rawahi, founder and chairperson of the Oman Cancer Association (OCA).
“Oman is witnessing a growth in the number patients who suffer from cancer every year,” Al Rawahi told the Times of Oman on the sidelines of the “Hug a Bear” function held for children at the Royal Hospital Oncology Centre to mark World Cancer Day.
She also confirmed that OCA’s initiatives to educate nurses in the Sultanate was about to conclude.
“In association with Petroleum Development Oman, we have been training 180 nurses from all around the Sultanate to take care of cancer patients and they will complete their course in the middle of this month,” she asserted.
OCA is also planning to train doctors in March. According to her, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer seen in Oman, but more and more cases of prostate cancer in men are also being reported nowadays.
OCA will also organise a free mammography for women aged 40 years and above at the Avenue Mall today. A mobile mammography unit will offer screening services outside the Mall between 9 am and 9 pm. It is the part of the OCA’s celebration of the 40/40 GCC Cancer Awareness initiative.
“Efficient doctors will be available to clear the doubts of every person, who comes in for the test,” Al Rawahi said.
According to her, only through awareness programmes can the public identify any changes in their body and make them to go to hospital early for a diagnosis.
“The best chance of survival with cancer is in the initial stages,” Al Rawahi added.
She also noted that the GCC countries’ health ministers have decided to run a one-week awareness programme every year because each country plans to spend 30 per cent of their budget on the treatment of cancer and related diseases. “A cancer patient is spending nearly OMR30,000 for the treatment,” she pointed out.
The OCA’s annual “Hug a bear” party was attended by 26 children and parents from the Oncology paediatric ward of the Royal Hospital and Dar Al Hanan.
Children and parents got a chance to enjoy themselves and for a moment forget their discomfort, pain and the stress of being in the hospital.
Children played games and one of the highlights of the day was the magician. He made them laugh and curious.
There was a beautiful bear-shaped cake donated by the Al Bustan Palace-Ritz Carlton that was cut and each child received a gift from the Association to honour them for their strength and determination to overcome this deadly disease.
“I am very happy to say that Oman Cancer Association was able to bring joy and happiness to their little hearts; to see the joy and happiness on these children’s faces is an award enough for us at OCA,” Al Rawahy further said.
She also thanked the Director of the Royal Hospital for providing the venue for hosting the event.