KUWAIT: The CAN campaign on cancer awareness is cooperating with the Ministry of Health on a second training course for ministry physicians on the many aspects of cancer , specifically with Makki Jumaa center and the primary care department.

Deputy Director of the CAN campaign and oncology specialist Dr Khalid Al-Saleh said the first training course, held on June 21, proved a great success, and this second round is organized to enable a bigger number of primary care physicians to benefit from the program.

Al-Saleh said the presentations and discussions are by specialists from the primary care department and Makki Jumaa Center for Specialized Surgeries. The focus is on detecting early signs and symptoms of cancers and dealing with these to ascertain a diagnosis. These physicians, he stressed, are patients' first line of defense.

The ultimate objective of the training is to increase rates of early detection of cancers, and therefore increase recovery rates and improve patients' odds of overcoming their health problems. This would also reduce cost of treatment for the state, once it deals with less advanced stages of cancers. Graduates from these training courses are awarded points within the continuing education program and those desiring to participate can apply from all health zones.-- KUNA