Early detection of cancer: The importance of preventive screening and risk factors
The Saudi Ministry of Health, coinciding with World Cancer Day, affirmed that individuals’ commitment to a healthy lifestyle and regular check-ups can prevent between 30 and 50% of cancer cases, noting that early detection is the cornerstone in transforming this disease from a life-threatening risk to a treatable and fully curable health condition.
World Cancer Day: A global context for uniting efforts
This local engagement is part of the international movement observed annually on February 4th, a date designated by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to raise global awareness of the disease. This day aims to mobilize governmental, community, and media efforts to correct misconceptions about cancer and emphasize that prevention is not merely an option but an urgent necessity to reduce premature deaths from non-communicable diseases.
Global statistics indicate that cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, but tremendous medical advancements in diagnostic and treatment technologies have made it possible to save millions of lives annually, provided the disease is detected in its early stages before it spreads.
Risk factors and prevention strategies
The ministry explained that the most common types of cancer include breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancer. It noted that one-third of cancer-related deaths are attributable to five key controllable behavioral and dietary factors:
- High body mass index (obesity).
- Not eating enough fruits and vegetables.
- Lack of physical activity.
- Tobacco use in all its forms.
- Environmental air pollution.
The ministry stressed that modifying these behaviors not only reduces the likelihood of infection, but also alleviates the economic and health burden on the health system and families, as the cost of treating late cases far exceeds the cost of prevention and early detection programs.
Experts: Early detection increases recovery rates and reduces complications
In exclusive statements to Al-Youm, a group of doctors and specialists agreed that public awareness is the first line of defense. They emphasized that fear of the result should not prevent people from getting tested, because early detection of the disease means easier treatment options and higher success rates.
Early surgical intervention and positive outcomes
Dr. Ghadeer Jamjoom, a consultant in oncology surgery and liver, pancreas and bile duct surgery at King Abdulaziz University, confirmed that timing is the decisive factor in the treatment journey.
Dr. Ghadeer Jamjoom
Dr. Jamjoom explained that detecting tumors in their early stages allows doctors to use less invasive surgical interventions and reduces the need for intensive chemotherapy or radiation treatments, which positively impacts the patient's psychological and physical well-being. She commended the Gulf awareness campaigns that have helped break the silence surrounding the disease and encourage the community to undergo screening.
Lifestyle change as a preventative tool
For his part, oncologist Dr. Abdulrahim Al-Shanqiti pointed out that prevention begins with simple daily decisions. He explained that modifiable factors such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight play a pivotal role in reducing the incidence of the disease.
Al-Shanqiti added that the state has provided early detection centers in various regions and facilitated access to them through digital applications, thus eliminating the excuse of “difficulty of access” and making the examination available to everyone, stressing that correcting misconceptions is an essential part of the treatment.
Early detection... a chance for life
In a related context, Dr. Dima Wahid Hamami, a consultant in reconstructive breast cancer surgery and endoscopy, described early detection as “a real chance at life” and not just a routine procedure.
Dr. Dima Hammami
Dr. Hamami stressed that early diagnosis preserves the patient's quality of life and spares him the harshness of long treatments, noting that awareness campaigns have succeeded in moving society from a circle of fear and denial to a circle of knowledge and reassurance, which enhances the chances of a full recovery and a return to normal life.
