During January, women in Qatar will have the chance to win prizes including three pieces of gold and three diamond rings for undergoing a pap smear test for cervical cancer.
Women must do the tests at Doha's Al Hayat Medical Center to be entered into the drawing. The prizes are part of the Qatar Cancer Society 's January initiative for Cervical Cancer Awareness month.
“Some people are very shy to get the test, but we are trying to get them to understand that it’s nothing embarrassing. They are simple tests which will be helpful to protect them,” Heba Nassar, health education officer at QCS, told Doha News .
In addition to the prizes, numerous awareness events will be held in Qatar throughout the month.
Globally, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer for women, after breast cancer. In Qatar specifically, it is the fifth most common cancer among women. However, many women may be shy or nervous to get the routine tests required for adequate prevention. Many may also be unaware of the risks of not getting tested. The campaign is meant to address these problems.
According to the QCS website, routine pap smears can prevent around 90 percent of cervical cancers from becoming life threatening. Health specialists recommend women take the test every two years until the age of 65. After 65, if the past 5 tests have been normal, women can stop the regular testing.
The major event for the campaign will take place on Jan. 25 at the Grand Hyatt Doha hotel
A team of health specialists will be on hand to answer questions and to provide information about cervical cancer and testing. You can visit the QCS website for more details about the ongoing campaign.