KUWAIT: Chairman of Cancer Aware Nation Campaign (CAN), Dr Khalid Ahmad Al-Saleh, spoke about the importance of partnership in social services, saying that CAN’s cooperation with the Dermatology Department (Jahra Hospital) is an example of a successful partnership for years in promoting awareness of skin cancer. CAN and the Dermatology Department organized a health day themed “Protect yourself against skin cancer.” Due to record temperatures, people who are active during the day and those exposed to direct sunlight were informed about the risk factors and the dangers that may lead to skin cancer.

Based on the cancer record at Kuwait Cancer Control Center (KCCC), the rate of skin cancer cases from 2010 to 2019 was 55 among Kuwaiti men (at 1.1 percent), while the standard world rate is 1.6 percent per 100,000 people. As for Kuwaiti women, the number of cases was 58 (at 0.7 percent), while the world standard rate was 1.2 percent per 100,000. As for non-Kuwaiti men, the number of cases is 124 (at 1.9 percent). The number of cases among non-Kuwaiti women is 60 (at 0.9 percent).

Dr Al-Saleh said the most important means of prevention is to cover the head or use an umbrella and remain in the shade between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, wearing sunglasses, wearing clothes that protect one against the sun, in addition to drinking enough water during the day, and using a sunscreen with (Sun Protection Factor) SPF 30 and above, as it helps prevention against cancer skin by 97 percent. Dr Al-Saleh thanked all entities who participated in the event that was held at Kuwait Magic Mall.