An international conference on breast cancer, organised by the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in collaboration with the Medical Specialty Board, was opened at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel yesterday under the chairmanship of Dr Rawya bint Saud al Busaidiya, the Minister of Higher Education.
Dr Adel bin Mohammed al Ajmi, consultant breast reconstruction surgeon at the
SQU Hospital, in a speech pointed out the importance of the conference in light of the growing number of breast cancer patients in the Sultanate and world over. He noted that despite free medical services in the Sultanate, the number of breast cancer cases is growing.
He said that 20 international experts, besides breast cancer specialists, are taking part in the conference. As many as 600 women will converge on a day when female researchers and specialists will acquaint them with the disease and highlight the importance of conducting early medical tests to prevent an early detection of the disease.
Dr Mansoor al Mantheri, Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the SQU, also spoke on the occasion. As many as 24 working papers, 13 on the first day and 11 on the second day, on the latest development on prevention and treatment of breast cancer will be presented.
The third day, which is dedicated for awareness, will be held under the auspices of Her Highness Sayyida Muna bint Fahd bin Mahmood al Said. Participants will also visit some hospitals in the Sultanate. The latest figures collected in 2008 show that about 105 breast cancer cases are registered each year in Oman and 2.2 million cases globally.
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