KUWAIT CITY, Jan 12: The National Campaign for Cancer Prevention (CAN) launched its annual awareness campaign on thyroid cancer on Sunday, under the slogan “Care is Health and Wellness.” The campaign, which will last for one week, aims to spread awareness about the importance of early detection of thyroid cancer to increase recovery rates.

In his opening speech for the campaign, CAN Chairman Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh emphasized the significance of raising awareness about cancer to educate the public on how to identify risk factors and early signs of the disease, as well as where individuals can seek help and inquire further.

Dr. Al-Saleh highlighted that CAN focuses on training doctors year-round on the latest advancements in the early detection of head, neck, and thyroid cancers. This includes teaching healthcare professionals how to recognize early signs for faster diagnosis and treatment. He noted that, since the start of the training courses, CAN has trained 1,656 primary care physicians and 1,617 dentists, with a special focus on training nursing staff in communication skills for interacting with cancer patients and their families. In total, 2,843 nursing staff members have been trained.

Additionally, Dr. Al-Saleh mentioned the collaboration with the Ministry of Education to educate female high school seniors on the importance of early breast cancer detection and self-examination. This initiative is one of the key components in spreading health awareness about cancer in the community. As a result, 172,000 female students have been trained, and 200 female physical education teachers have been trained as trainers themselves.

Referring to the cancer statistics from the Kuwait Cancer Control Center’s registry for the year 2020, Dr. Al-Saleh shared that there were 158 reported cases of thyroid cancer. It is known that thyroid cancer affects women more than men, and when detected early, the recovery rate rises to over 95%.

Dr. Iman Al-Shammari, a member of the Board of Directors of the CAN Campaign and the campaign's Director, also spoke at the event. She stressed that the key to successful cancer prevention is awareness. After years of ongoing awareness efforts, she noted that the positive impact is beginning to be felt.

Dr. Al-Shammari explained that awareness of thyroid cancer started with campaigns focused on head and neck cancers. The focus then shifted specifically to thyroid cancer, with outreach activities such as public awareness drives in shopping malls, public lectures, distribution of informational brochures, and communications at hospitals and health centers. Messages of hope were also conveyed to patients during these initiatives. Moreover, primary care physicians and health centers were educated about the early signs of thyroid cancer.

Dr. Al-Shammari pointed out that thyroid cancer ranks as the fourth most common cancer in Kuwait, but it is the second most common cancer among both Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti women, following breast cancer. While thyroid cancer typically shows no symptoms in its early stages, as it progresses, symptoms may include swelling in the neck, changes in the voice, or difficulty swallowing. These symptoms tend to develop slowly, and most cases can be treated successfully if caught early.

The campaign's activities also aim to promote a healthy lifestyle free from smoking, regular walking, and managing psychological well-being. These factors, Dr. Al-Shammari explained, help boost immunity and overall health, which are essential for preventing diseases, including cancer.

Lastly, she revealed that the "Makin" Club will soon be launched to support cancer survivors. The club will focus on the psychological well-being of patients, helping them cope with their journey and recovery.