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

September 2011 Issue 5/11

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.

October: Cancer

Awareness Month 1

8 Tips for Cancer

Prevention 1

Join NACA Now 2

President ’ s Message 2

Information about the

Association 2

Thyroid Cancer 3

Non Hodgkin

Lymphoma 3

Recent Events Photos 3

Breast Cancer Signals 4

From the Photo Album 4

Upcoming Events

“The Power is in Your Hands “

Exhibition at

Qurum City Centre

October 2011

“Show You Care

— Be Aware” Walkathon

25 October 2011

October: Cancer Awareness MonthOctober: Cancer Awareness MonthOctober: Cancer Awareness Month

8 TIPS for CANCER PREVENTION8 TIPS for CANCER PREVENTION8 TIPS for CANCER PREVENTION

All around the world,

October is breast cancer

awareness month and

statistics show that

breast cancer is the

most common cancer in

Oman. However, one

of the main objectives

of the National

Association for Cancer

Awareness (NACA) is

to promote public

awareness for all types

of cancer and educate

the community on early

signs and symptoms of

different cancers. Our motto is “Regular

Examination and Early

Diagnosis Saves Lives”

and this is why cancer

awareness initiatives

such as “The Power is

in Your Hands” are so

important. We also need to do all

we can to prevent

cancer as much as

possible.

Adapted from The World Cancer Research Fund’s Recommendations for Cancer Prevention

Maintain a healthy body weight

Be physically

active every day Eat more fruits,

vegetables, pulses

Do not smoke or

chew tobacco

Limit fatty and

sugary foods

Limit salty or salt

processed foods

Limit processed

and red meats

Limit or avoid

alcoholic drinks

Special Edition

Page 2

JOIN NACA NOW

If you are not already a member of NACA, please join now. If you are already

a member, please ask all your friends and relatives to join. If you are a cancer

survivor, please sign up to our Cancer Survivors‟ Group. Membership is only 5 rials and gives you access to NACA lectures and workshops and opportunities to par-

ticipate in courses organised by friends of NACA. You can join up at NACA HQ in Al Athaiba or on line.

President’s Message

I would like to take this opportunity to give special thanks to all of you

who have supported us in the past and continue to do so every year. We

could not have successfully completed the various projects that were

undertaken over the years without your support or efforts. I look

forward to working with you all and to many successful years and

growth within our Association. On behalf of the Executive Board, I

would like to sincerely thank all our sponsors, members and volunteers.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION The Oman National Association for Cancer Awareness was officially registered in April 2004. It was the

first patient advocacy group in Oman. Some of our many achievements include:-

Mobile Mammography Unit The award-winning

Mobile Mammography

Unit, launched in 2009,

is one of the outreach

programmes organized

by NACA.

The project was recommended as

complementary to the very successful advocacy

programme on breast cancer awareness

implemented by the Association.

Its objectives are to:

provide a mammography service to the

community, especially in rural areas.

be an advocate for cancer to the community.

work together with other stakeholders in the

awareness of all cancers.

work together with other stakeholders in the

awareness of all cancers, and screening for

breast cancer if required.

Dar Al Hanan As a “home away from

home” for young cancer

patients, Dar Al Hanan was

inaugurated in January 2011.

Its main aims are to:-

give young cancer patients and family

members accommodation, meals and a shuttle

service to the Royal Hospital for the duration of

their treatment.

ensure that patients follow treatment such as

outpatient chemotherapy and radiotherapy in a

regular manner.

provide patients and family members with

much needed moral support.

assist patients and their families with

administrative procedures related to health care

and/or the consequences of the disease.

Regional Branches

At the beginning of 2010, regional

branches for Cancer Awareness in

Sur, Ibra, Salalah and Nizwa were

officially recognised. In Sur,

women were trained in breast self-

examination and in community

support as part of their campaign to spread health

awareness. The Sur branch also organised a walk

under the motto “Your Role – Self Examination,

Our Role – Giving Care”.

Upcoming Events

Join us in October at Qurum City Centre

Mall for a month-long exhibition, stalls,

fun events and competitions for all the

family. The 8th Annual

Cancer Awareness Walk will be

held on 25th October 2011 in front

of the Ministry of Justice in Al

Khuwair from 4 pm. to 6 pm.

Registration and T-shirts will be

on sale in October .

Visit the new NACA website; www.ocancer.org.om

Visit the refurbished library at NACA HQ in Al Athaiba.

Page 3

What Is Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer starts in the thyroid gland, a small gland

which is located in the lower neck, just below the larynx. It

is most likely to affect people who are middle-aged or

older.

Symptoms

In most people, thyroid cancer develops very slowly. The

first sign is usually a painless lump in the neck, which

gradually gets bigger. Other symptoms but may include:

Cough

Difficulty swallowing

Enlargement of the thyroid gland

Hoarseness or changing voice

Neck swelling

Thyroid lump

Risk Factors

People who have had radiation therapy to the neck are at

higher risk. Other risk factors are a family history

of thyroid cancer

Investigations

The doctor will perform a physical exam which may reveal a

lump in the thyroid, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

Other tests include:

Blood test to check hormone levels

Ultrasound thyroid scan

Fine needle aspiration to remove some cells

Treatment

The main treatments for thyroid cancer are surgery, thyroid

hormones, radioactive iodine and radiotherapy. Most types

of thyroid cancer can usually be treated very successfully

and many people are cured.

Take Home Message

If you notice a lump in your neck see a doctor, but most

thyroid swellings are benign (not cancerous).

THYROID CANCER NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA

Photo Gallery of Recent EventsPhoto Gallery of Recent EventsPhoto Gallery of Recent Events

Dar Al Hanan‟s “Paint a Dream” (a

drawing and painting challenge for

all the children who were staying at

the home for young cancer patients)

took place in July. The artwork has

been exhibited in the playroom to

inspire other children who may be

accommodated at Dar Al Hanan in

the near future.

The Mobile Mammography

Unit was stationed in Bank

Muscat Head Quarters for two

days in July to promote cancer

awareness and Dr. Aseel Al

Taee gave a

talk to staff

about the

importance

of clinical

breast

examination.

What Is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is cancer of the lym-

phoid tissue, which includes the lymph nodes,

spleen, and other organs of the immune system.

Causes

Most lymphomas start in a type of white blood

cells called B lymphocytes, or B cells. For most

patients, the cause is unknown. There are many

different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Most

of the time, this cancer affects adults. However,

children can get some forms of lymphoma.

Symptoms

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can cause a variety of symptoms,

depending on what area of the body is affected and how fast

the cancer is growing.

Symptoms may include:

Night sweats (soaking the bed sheets and pyjamas)

Fever and chills that come and go

Severe itchiness that cannot be explained

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms, groin

Unintentional weight loss and loss of appetite

Investigations

The doctor will perform a physical exam and check body

areas with lymph nodes to feel if they are swollen. Tests to

diagnose non-Hodgkin lymphoma include:

Blood tests, liver and kidney function tests,

Bone marrow aspiration & biopsy

Lymph node biopsy

CT scans and X-rays

Treatment

Radiation therapy may be used for disease that is confined

to one body area. Chemotherapy is commonly used as the

main form of treatment.

In June, the National Association

for Cancer Awareness, represent-

ed by Dr Wahid Al Kharusi, re-

ceived a “2011 United Nations

Public Service Award” for its

„Mobile Mammography Unit‟.

The award certificate was pre-

sented to Dr Kharusi by the pres-

ident of Zanzibar.

Page 4

EDITOR REFERENCES Sally Perry Macmillan Cancer Support, Mentor Worldwide LLC, Medline Plus, World Cancer Research Fund

October is Breast Cancer awareness month, so what are the symptoms of breast cancer? They include:

A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the

underarm that persists through the menstrual cycle.

A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea.

A marble-like hardened area under the skin.

A change in the size, shape, or contour of the breast.

Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple.

A blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from the

nipple.

An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast.

A change in the feel or appearance of the skin on the breast or nipple

(dimpled, puckered, scaly, or inflamed).

Breast Cancer Signs and SymptomsBreast Cancer Signs and SymptomsBreast Cancer Signs and Symptoms

More than 80% of Breast Cancer is detected by self examination

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

Yuthar at the Susan Komen Cancer

Walk in Washington DC. Receiving a donation from the

National Bank of Oman

Having fun raising both funds and

awareness with NACA

Human pink ribbon at

ROP Stadium, Wattayah

These changes may be found during a breast self-exam. In

most cases, these changes are not cancer. For example,

breast pain is more common with benign breast conditions

than with breast cancer. However, if you have any of the

signs above and it worries you, seek a doctor‟s care as soon

as possible. Don‟t wait until symptoms worsen or “get

better”. If breast cancer is present, it is best to be diagnosed

at an early stage, when the cancer is most treatable.

Qarankasho at the Royal Hospital Volunteers at the Royal Hospital