Commercial Bank holds cancer awareness workshop
06 December 2015
Workshop in support of the global “Movember” initiative
Doha, Qatar: Commercial Bank, Qatar’s first private bank, has held a workshop for male employees to raise awareness on colorectal and prostate cancer in partnership with Qatar Cancer Society.
The workshop was timed to coincide with “Movember”, a global initiative held throughout the month of November that addresses some of the biggest health issues faced by men. The workshop examined a variety of cancers, their prevention and management, with a particular focus on colorectal (colon or rectum) cancer and prostate cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The workshop highlighted the variety of factors that make a person more vulnerable to colorectal cancer including obesity and smoking, with men more likely to suffer from the disease than women by 35 to 40%. The methods of treating colorectal cancer vary depending on each case and the particular symptoms.
Commercial Bank EGM Chief Human Capital Officer Sharoq Al Malki said: “As a good corporate citizen, Commercial Bank actively seeks ways to give back to Qatar in support of the Qatar National Vision 2030. Colorectal and prostate cancers are a major cause of early death among men, and as the health and well being of our staff and the wider Qatari community is of paramount importance to Commercial Bank, this workshop is vital in raising awareness about these diseases, the need for regular testing, and the benefits that come with early detection. We would also like to thank Qatar Cancer Society and all those who have supported this workshop and helped spread its message.”
Heba Nassar and Dana Mansour from Qatar Cancer Society both commented that the impact of colorectal and prostate cancer on lives in Qatar is substantial, not only to those who suffer from the diseases but also to their family and friends. Qatar Cancer Society noted that even if men are aware of these cancers, they can often find it embarrassing or difficult to talk about them, and the workshop with Commercial Bank staff provided essential knowledge for male staff on ways to prevent cancer and stressed the need for regular health check-ups.