(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
DOHA: Qatar’s highly regarded theatre and TV personality Adel Al Ansari (pictured) in a new role as an ambassador will promote bowel cancer screening awareness in the country.
With this the Breast and Bowel Cancer Screening Programme planned and being implemented by the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) is expected to gain further public attention.
Al Ansari started acting in theatre at the age of five. He then appeared in TV shows and promotional campaigns for big companies. A highlight of his acting career was when he played the lead role in the opening ceremony presentation for the Doha Asian Games in 2006.
Apart from his successful profession in show business Al Ansari is a double university degree holder in architecture and history from Qatar University and Beirut Arab University in Lebanon respectively.
Dr Mariam Ali Abdulmalik Managing Director PHCC said: “We are excited to have such a well-liked celebrity like Adel to help us in our life-saving bowel cancer awareness and screening initiative especially with March being the Month for Bowel Cancer Awareness.”
Bowel cancer has been determined by the Supreme Council of Health as accounting for 10.55 percent of top malignant primary cancers in Qatar. SCH data shows the 50-54 age group had bowel cancer incidence of 15.2 percent in males and 18.4 percent in females. “I am honoured to have been chosen by PHCC to play a vital role in raising awareness among citizens and residents about the importance of bowel cancer screening” Al Ansari said.
“I understand that early detection of bowel cancer can increase the chances of its successful treatment.
“I intend to work with PHCC to influence and encourage people to undergo bowel cancer screening for their peace of mind and their families” Al Ansari added.
Men and women with a personal or family history of bowel cancer or inflammatory bowel disease are encouraged to undergo screening.
Risks for bowel cancer include age (50 and above) a low-fibre and high fat diet sedentary lifestyle diabetes obesity smoking heavy alcohol drinking and radiation therapy directed at the abdomen for treatment of previous cancer. Those exposed to such risks are encouraged to get screened.
Pre-cancerous polyps — abnormal growths inside the colon or rectum — can develop into bowel cancer.
If detected early through screening these can be removed before they turn into cancer.
Early detection of bowel cancer through regular screening is encouraged because studies by the Colon Cancer Alliance indicated a 90 percent survival rate if the disease is detected at an early stage.
The Peninsula