A walkathon will be held next month to raise awareness about breast cancer – the most common type of cancer in women – and to stress the importance of early detection.
The annual Bahrain Cancer Society (BCS) Walk-A-Thon, will take place at Water Garden City, in Seef District, on October 24, at 5.30pm, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month initiatives, aimed at increasing public knowledge, encouraging screening and reducing risks associated with the disease.
Open to all, the event combines health, fitness and community spirit with a strong educational message.
“Annual walkathons are not only sporting events; they are health, social and awareness platforms aimed at spreading knowledge about cancers, especially breast cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in women,” BCS president Dr Abdul Fakhro told the GDN.
“Such events help increase community awareness, encourage early detection, offer support for patients and their families and contribute to fundraising that supports national treatment programmes.”
He explained that BCS campaigns have already led to a noticeable increase in early check-ups.
“Although cancer is a serious disease that is often perceived as difficult to treat, early diagnosis changes the entire picture,” he said, noting that survival rates can exceed 90 per cent when breast cancer is detected early.
Dr Fakhro
Dr Fakhro highlighted the high cost of treatment for residents compared to citizens, underlining the importance of prevention to reduce the social and economic burdens on families and the healthcare system.
He also acknowledged that denial and fear remain major challenges. “Some women believe cancer is inevitably fatal, or they fear the side effects of some treatments such as hair loss, or even social stigma and family issues like the possibility of separation,” he said.
To combat these fears, the BCS recommends women perform monthly self-examinations – ideally five days after their menstrual cycle – undergo regular clinical breast examinations, and begin mammogram screening at the age 40, or earlier, if there is a family history of breast cancer.
“Cancer is not the end; it can be the start of a successful treatment journey when diagnosed early,” Dr Fakhro stressed.
According to the GDN, 298 new breast cancer cases were reported among women living in Bahrain last year.
A recent study by the Health Ministry and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) found that the 160 Bahraini research subjects, that were tested between 2021 and 2024 found that 39 per cent of them had gene mutations linked to breast and ovarian cancer.
Bahrain currently has the highest breast cancer rate in the Arabian Gulf, with an estimated incidence of 117 cases per 100,000 women and an age-standardised rate of 58.5 per 100,000 – also higher than all other GCC countries. Globally, around 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, with 670,000 deaths reported.
- Participants are urged to gather at 4.30pm on the day. For further details about the BCS Walk-A-Thon contact the society on 17233080 or visit www.bahraincancer.com
julia@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))