Cancer survivors to be trained to counsel patients and families

The Oman Cancer Association held the second panel discussion on Challenges Facing Cancer Patients and Survivors at Al Harthy Hall under the auspices of Shaikh Rashid al Shamsy, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Social Development.

The programme was attended by Yuthar al Rawahi, founder and life long President of OCA and Hon’ Mona al Mantheri who delivered motivational speeches.

While participating in the discussions Sheikh Rashid said that sometimes patients do not know their rights.

In its 22nd year, OCA has begun new programmes namely Exercise and Cancer, Nutrition, Genetic testing and Colon Cancer screening.

In his welcome address, Dr Wahid al Kharousi, Chairman of Oman Cancer Association, said that success of these programmes were in the hands of the empowered cancer survivors by working together with Oman Cancer Association. He added that the event was introduced to rehabilitate OCA’s cancer survivor’s programme that was started in 2010 and was impacted by Covid-19 pandemic.

The core objective of the Association is to improve their quality of life and limit the effects of cancers.

“The Cancer Survivors Programme reinitiated is one of our landmark sustainable events of utmost importance. We had started working on this concept at international level long before other countries and for this reason the OCA is an original member in the advisory council of the International Alliance of Patients Organization (IAPO)/ WHO and represents our EMRO region. This year the global conference of this alliance will be conducted in Oman and all cancer patients are invited in October 2022,” said Dr Wahid.

The programme will initiate cancer survivors to be trained in the broad understanding of cancers so as to counsel the cancer patients, their families and the community.

Dr Wahid pointed out that with this understanding and knowledge they will be technically empowered to choose the treatment they want after a healthy discussion with their physicians. Working as one unit they can together address their challenges and come up with appropriate and pragmatic solutions.

“In Oman, we are extremely lucky to have the continuation and provision of free cancer management despite its high cost by our benevolent government of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik,” he said.

During the event a role play depicted some of the negative trends such as not seeking medical attention by delaying while spending on traditional methods that are not scientifically proven.