PHCC marks three years of mobile cancer screening unit launch

* Mobile Unit has screened more than 2,000 women


Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has successfully completed three years of the launch of its mobile screening unit for breast cancer. 

Since its launch in June 2016, the Mobile Unit has screened over 2000 women in Qatar and the number is increasing every year. 

The Mobile Unit is manned by highly skilled healthcare professionals trained to efficiently operate the facility’s state-of-the-art equipment. Screening is conducted in the utmost privacy by a female mammogram technician and trained nurses who provide vital information and responses to all questions from participants about the screening process. 

Through this programme, PHCC offers a deeper understanding to the people on the importance of early screening, which can lead to detection and timely treatment. The Unit also acts as a vehicle to create awareness in public places and strengthen ‘Screen for Life’ marketing efforts at events and other initiatives.

For the past three years, the Mobile Unit visited over 50 locations in many cities/districts in Qatar, including Doha, Al Khor, Al Shamal, Al Sheehaniya, Al Rayyan, Mesaieed, Al Wakrah, Dukhan and Daayen. During those visits, the unit provided breast cancer screening onboard for ladies while they were in their workplaces or at their areas of residence. This was very convenient and saved ladies the time and effort of travelling to health centres and finding time within their busy schedule to get an appointment. 

Dr Maryam al-Mass, head of screening programmes,design & implementation at PHCC, said: “It has been the most enriching and satisfying journey with a view to spread awareness among people on the importance of early cancer screening. Thanks to its wide spread reach, our state-of-the-art screening centres have received an overwhelming response with advance bookings for cancer screening.”

'Screen for Life', over the years, has grown from just a programme to a great movement to change people's lives. As part of its key strategic goal, 'Screen for Life' has been taking measures to ensure that it can create awareness among fellow citizens on the importance of timely screening of breast & bowel cancer. Various initiatives in the form of hosting guest lectures, events, mobile unit for mammogram screening activation and corporate tie-ups have shown significant results in driving people towards timely screening of cancer.

As seen on GulfTimes  Image Credits GulfTimes