Fighting cancer together

TODAY GulfWeekly has teamed up with a prominent Bahraini doctor to help readers survive cancer – a disease which strikes down one-in-four of the population.

Over the coming weeks we will feature a series of articles about the disease which continues to devastate families but – with early detection – can be treated.
Experts say that on average a patient with cancer nowadays has a 46.2 per cent chance of living 10 years after they discover they have the disease.
Dr Waleed Abdul-Wahab, a Bahraini consultant urologist working in one of Europe’s major hospitals, said: “Early detection is vital and together we aim to make a difference.”
GulfWeekly Editor, Stan Szecowka, added: “We are delighted that Dr Waleed has joined our team and believe his expertise will help save lives in Bahrain.
“All of us are touched at some time by this terrible illness, whether it’s a member of the family, a neighbour, friend or work colleague.
“Often survival depends on early diagnosis and treatment and we hope our series of articles will allow our readers to seek medical assistance at the earlier opportunity.
“The GulfWeekly aims to be a really useful newspaper and this is one way we can show we mean business in Bahrain.”
The One-in-Four Community Campaign has been praised by the kingdom’s top medics as well as leading personalities who have suffered from the illness.
Dr Abdulrahman Fakhro, President of Bahrain Cancer Society (BCS), said:“We can now manage cancer. Cancer does not equal death. If you discover it early you can manage it.”
Dr Fakhro, a general surgeon and breast specialist has been president of the BCS for the last three years, an organisation which was founded in 1989 and has been helping cancer sufferers throughout Bahrain ever since.
“It was started by group that wanted to combat cancer and help to deal with the tragedy that comes with the disease,” said Dr Fakhro. “Doctors, engineers, laymen and labourers came together to help the victims of cancer. They wanted to provide medical and moral support.”
The society relies solely on donations and provides treatment and support for sufferers and their families.
One of the key aspects of the organisation’s work is creating awareness about the disease. 
“It is the most important aspect of our work,” said Dr Fakhro. “We have a cancer awareness programme where we visit mosques, clubs and schools and hold workshops. People tend to hide away from cancer but we have to educate them. One of the major problems with cancer is denial.”
Dr Fakhro said that he greatly supported GulfWeekly’s One-in-Four Community Campaign, adding: “We need to keep drumming awareness into the people. This way we can save lives.”
To launch our One-in-Four Community Campaign, Dr Waleed has concentrated on bladder cancer. There are details about the symptoms to look out for, the treatment available and an email address for readers to contact Dr Waleed directly for help and advice.
● His next article will concentrate on dermatology.
Dr Waleed said: “Since the sun is so hot during this time of year, it may be helpful to make readers aware of the risks of skin cancer and how to take the necessary precautions.
“This is of extreme importance to people that come from Europe and reside in countries with high exposure to sunlight.”