MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY UNIT

Upcoming Events

NACA Open Day

27 March 2011

Walkathon

25 October 2011

THE

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

FOR CANCER

AWARENESS

(NACA)

P.O. Box 736 Athaiba Postal Code 130

Sultanate of Oman Tel. No.: (968) 24498716 Fax No.: (968) 24498726 Toll Free No.: 800 77477

Email: ocancer@omantel.net.om

Website: www.ocancer.org.om

DAR AL HANAN

Tel. No.: (968) 24501770 Fax No.: (968) 24501179

Email: naca.daralhanan@gmail.com

March 2011 Issue 3/11

NACA‟s mobile mammography unit (MMU),

first launched in November 2009, aims to pro-

vide free mammography screening to all wom-

en in Oman based on the fact that regular ex-

amination and early diagnosis lead to a better

chance for combatting cancer. The MMU took

seven years to complete, cost RO 338,000 to

build and annual maintenance costs run to more

than RO 150,000.

The MMU is now

on its second tour

of the wilayats and

more than 2,400

mammograms

have been com-

pleted for the

screening pro-

gramme. Of those screened, two women were

officially diagnosed with breast cancer at The

Royal Hospital and two more diagnosed at Sul-

tan Qaboos University Hospital. During 2010

the MMU was stationed at different health cen-

tres in the capital area and throughout Oman,

from Salalah to Musandam, including those in

Bahla, Barka, Ibri, Izki, Nizwa, Rustaq, Quri-

yat, Saham, Sohar and Sur.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank

the MOH radiography staff and in particular Dr

Asim Darwish and Dr Hussam Al Kindi who

generously donate their time to read the mam-

mograms. We also thank all the staff at the

health centres for their support and all those

who have worked to make the MMU such a

success.

For details of when the MMU will be in your

area contact the NACA main office or check

the schedule on our website. For women over

the age of 40, regular mammogram exams are

recommended every two years and all women

should carry out monthly self-examination of

the breast a few days after the menstrual cycle.

DAR AL HANAN

The Dar Al Hanan or „Home Away From

Home‟ project is NACA‟s latest outreach initia-

tive. It is a home for children undergoing out-

patient treatment for cancer and was set up to

help families having to travel from all over the

Sultanate to the Oncology Centre at the Royal

Hospital. For some of these families, the cost of

accommodation and transport created such diffi-

culties that their children were not able to attend

as regularly as they should and this adversely

affected their treatment. Something had to be

done and within the incredibly short time frame

of just one year, Dar Al Hanan opened its doors.

This „home away from

home‟ not only provides

accommodation for 14 fami-

lies, with up to four family

members, including the pa-

tient, being housed in individual rooms, but also

all meals are supplied, psychological support

given, plus transport to and from the hospital.

Above all, this house caters for the children.

There is a library, toys and computers in a play-

room which was designed and decorated by

local high school children, and various organ-

ised activities to keep them entertained and oc-

cupied. In addition, there is a part-time teacher

available for those children who are missing out

on school.

It is two months since opening and the families

that have already stayed at Dar Al Hanan have

been very happy with the facilities and grateful

that this gives them one thing less to worry

about during what is such a difficult time.

With its beautiful flower lights in the bedrooms,

wonderful murals and

brightly coloured play

areas, Dar Al Hanan con-

veys a warm and wel-

coming atmosphere to

enchant all who visit it.

IN THIS ISSUE: The National Association

for Cancer Awareness Regular Examination and Early Diagnosis

Saves Lives

If you have any question that you would like to be answered, please do not hesitate to contact us by one of the means shown below and we will try our best to post them with answers here in future issues or contact you directly.

NACA Needs You 2

Snippets from

NACA ’ s Diary

New Vaccine for 3

Cervical Cancer

Prostate Cancer

From the NACA

Photo Albom

ABC of Health 4

Take Home

Message

Page 2

We urge you, your friends and family to join NACA today and to renew your membership annually. The many pro-

jects and activities organised by NACA can only take place with the generous donations of our members, volunteers,

supporters and sponsors. Thank you and please continue to support our events.

Snippets from NACA’s DiarySnippets from NACA’s DiarySnippets from NACA’s Diary Along with the monthly Clinical Breast Examination on the first Tuesday of every month, the cancer survivor‟s meet-

ings and other talks and get-togethers, NACA has been busy.

February 2010: At Bait Al Baranda there was a photography exhibition and sale of Jafar Islah‟s

book „Children are Angels‟. Kuwait-based artist and journalist Jafar had generously donated his

photographs and books to raise funds for the Dar Al Hanan project. Some of his beautiful photos of

children now adorn the walls of Dar Al Hanan.

March 2010: NACA held a two-day conference “Living with Cancer. Coping with Emotion and

Change”. There were talks on prevalent cancers in Oman, pain control, volunteerism and palliative

care, plus workshops on cancer support and breast examination. The conference, held at the Grand

Hyatt Hotel, was well attended and proved to be both instructive and thought provoking.

September 2010: During Ramadan, the annual Eid party took place at the Royal Hospital with gifts

for all the children on the paediatric oncology ward.

October 2010: October is breast cancer awareness month and the book “Frothy Coffee” was launched

by author Penny Destro, with all proceeds from the book sales going to the MMU. This book, a collec-

tion of “coffee-break stories and rhymes for women”, is currently on sale at NACA main office, Al

Madina Gallery, Caribou Coffee and other outlets including the Family Bookshops.

January 2011: On January 4th the inaugura-

tion of Dar Al Hanan took place under the auspices of Dr Ah-

med Bin Mohammed Al Sa‟eedi, Minister of Health, and at-

tended by Her Highness Sayyida Dr Muna

bint Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, the pa-

tron of NACA.

February 2011: NACA‟s annual Hug-A-

Bear event took place in the grounds of

the Royal Hospital for children undergo-

ing cancer treatment to mark World Can-

cer Day, which is on the 4th of February.

NACA FINANCES 2010

All businesses require funding for their activities. Just like other charities, the National Association for Cancer

Awareness needs funding for a range of purposes. Most of our finances come from individual donators and without their

generosity NACA could not continue to achieve its objectives.

Donations for the year 2010 came to more than one hundred thousand rials. Of that, more than RO 40,000 was needed

for staff salaries and to pay for utilities for the Dar Al Hanan house. Nearly RO 10,000 was spent on staffing the Mobile

Mammography Unit and RO 15,000 for the NACA office staff. Full time, paid staff are an essential part of what NACA

does but on top of that there are many others who volunteer their time and services and their contribution is priceless.

As well as for the major projects, funding is also needed for the day-to-day running of NACA, including administration

expenses, utility bills, furniture and fixtures, equipment and cars, stationery and office expenses, gifts for children with

cancer, audit fees, repairs, paying for suppliers and other miscellaneous expenses such as publishing costs. Once again, we would like to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who have so generously donated to this worthy

cause.

Page 3

A new vaccine against cervical cancer (cancer of

the lower, narrow part of the uterus) will soon be available

here in Oman. (For details on where to get the vaccine

contact the NACA office.)

The most common risk factor (in 95%

of cases) for cervical cancer is

infection with the human

papillomavirus (HPV). All types of HPV

are transmitted sexually and can infect the

cervix.

Vaccination The vaccine is targeted at girls and women of age 9 to 26

because the vaccine only works if given before HPV

infection occurs. It is best to get the vaccine before the start

of sexual activity. The vaccine consists of a series of three

shots, with shot two coming 2 months after the first, and

shot three coming 6 months after the first.

Screening

The Papanicolaou test, or pap smear for cervical

cancer screening has also greatly reduced the

incidence and mortality of cervical cancer. It is

recommended that cervical cancer screening

should begin approximately three years after the

onset of vaginal intercourse and no later than

twenty years of age. If premalignant disease or

cervical cancer is detected early, it can be treated relatively

easily.

The HPV test is a newer technique for cervical cancer

detection which detects the presence of human

papillomavirus infection in the cervix.

The prostate is a small gland in a

man‟s reproductive system.

Who is at risk of prostate cancer?

Men above the age of 50 years or those

with a family history of prostate cancer.

Men who eat food rich in

animal fat have an increased

risk while eating food rich in

fruits and vegetable may decrease the risk.

How can prostate cancer be detected early?

Men should start screening by the age of 50 years by having

an annual blood test to measure the level of prostate specific

antigen (PSA) in the blood, even if there are no symptoms.

Symptoms to watch out for:

passing urine more often than before

having to get up at night to pass urine

difficulty in starting the flow of urine

inability to urinate

burning urination

difficult erection or painful ejaculation

blood in the urine or semen

pain in the bones

If a man has any of the above symptoms he should go to his

doctor for a check-up. The doctor will examine the prostate

and may do a blood test to measure the PSA level.

What are the results of treatment?

If cancer is discovered at an early stage when it is still

within the prostate, the chance of cure is over 90%.

NEW VACCINE FOR CERVICAL CANCER PROSTATE CANCER

cervix

uterus

bladder

enlarged prostate

From the NACA Photo AlbumFrom the NACA Photo AlbumFrom the NACA Photo Album

Visit by the wife of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to Dar Al Hanan and to the Mobile Mammography Unit (January 2011)

Spreading awareness and selling

merchandise to raise funds for NACA

Girls at Muscat International School

give donation to NACA

NACA‟s promotion of Cancer

Awareness in Omani schools

Page 4

An ABC of Health Each issue of this newsletter will look at a variety of ways in which you can improve your health, try to prevent cancer or help

while undergoing treatment for cancer.

N.B. If you are on cancer therapy or any other treatment, do not take any supplements without first checking with your doctor.

A is for ...

Aspirin Latest research claims that for adults a daily

dose of aspirin can help ward off heart disease

and cancer. It is claimed that taking 75mg (no

more) of aspirin daily for 5 years cuts the risk of

dying from bowel cancer by a third and the risk

of developing the disease by 25 per cent. Further research

is on-going to see if it could help reduce the occurrence of

other cancers. Watch this space!

Apples These common fruits have uncommon powers. Chlorogenic

and caffeic acids found in apples have anti-

cancer properties. Raw, cooked or juiced – there

are many ways to benefit from apples.

Almonds These nuts are rich in a number of anti-cancer factors. They

contain protease inhibitors which can inhibit

tumour growth. You should always make

sure your almonds are fresh.

Alfalfa The leaves and sprouting seeds of this plant are extremely

nutritious. They contain protective phytoestrogens and have

a general anti-tumour effect. Alfalfa is also rich

in fibre which binds to carcinogens. French

scientists have shown that eating alfalfa can

reduce tissue damage caused by radiotherapy.

You can sprinkle alfalfa sprouts on salads.

Vitamin A Vitamin A is one of the key antioxidant vitamins. It is

protective against damage to the mucous

membranes of the mouth and intestinal

lining during chemotherapy. However, in

excess it can be toxic! Sources of vitamin

A include liver, cod-liver oil, egg yolk,

green leafy vegetables and carrots.

Acidophilus This is the generic term for a number of Lactobacilli

species of „friendly‟ bacteria. They help to

support the immune system but one of the

main anti-cancer effects is to neutralize

harmful bile acids.

Astragalus This is a root that the Chinese use as an immune

enhancer and as a tonic. It helps support the immune

system during chemotherapy and may reduce side

effects such as poor appetite and depression.

Aloe Vera This is extremely soothing and encourages tissues

to repair quickly. The juice squeezed directly

from the plant can reduce irritation and the

sunburn effect often experienced as a result of

radiation therapy. You can also buy aloe vera

juice to drink. It can help repair the digestive tract

which may be damaged during chemotherapy. It should be

drunk diluted as it is too strong in undiluted

form.

Aromatherapy This is the use of essential oils. You can add them to water or

use them in an oil burner at home. A few drops

added to a bath just before bedtime can help you

relax after a stressful day. Lavender, geranium,

marjoram and ylang-ylang oils are all calming. Be

careful using oils in the bath if you are undergoing

chemotherapy or radiotherapy as some oils can

cause skin irritation.

Awareness No one knows your body better than you do. Be aware of what

is normal for you and go to your local health centre for a

check-up if you notice any changes (such as any unusual

lumps, changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss).

EDITORIAL TEAM CONTRIBUTORS

Sally Perry, Latifa Al-Kharusi Dr Assel Al-Taee (Obstetrics & Gynaecology), Dr Wahid Al-Kharusi

Take Home Message from this Issue Women over the age of 40 should have regular

mammogram exams every two years.

All women should carry out monthly self-examination

of the breast, after the menstrual cycle.

Girls and unmarried woman should consider having the

HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.

Women aged 35 - 65 should have a pelvic exam and

pap smear at least once every two years.

Every man above the age of 50 years should do a blood

PSA test once every year .

Remember: Regular examination and early diagnosis

lead to a better chance for cure so be self aware.