The 8th International San Antonio Breast Cancer Conference was held in Jeddah recently.

The two-day conference was organized in collaboration with the University of Texas Health Sciences Center.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. Tawfiq Al-Yafi, deputy executive director of clinical services at the Ministry of National Guard.

The conference highlighted the important developments in breast cancer.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Omalkhair Abulkhair, chairperson of the scientific committee, welcomed the participants and said the conference aims to share the experience of experts in advanced treatment of breast cancer.

“As exciting strides are being made in the field of breast cancer research and treatment, this conference was essential for up-to-the minute information combined with an engrossing discussion for basic, translational and clinical cancer research professionals,” he said.

Breast cancer is the most common occurrence among females in Saudi Arabia, with 25 percent women reporting tumors. In addition, for every 100,000 women aged 48 years there are 14 cases diagnosed with breast cancer, while almost 50 percent are diagnosed with the second or third stage of the cancer; only 2 percent are diagnosed in the first stage of breast cancer.

Abulkhair said that it’s important to develop the culture of early diagnosis and that there is a need for developing awareness among women about diseases, symptoms, self-examination and care.

People need to know more about the several causes of breast cancer such as faulty genes, hereditary disease, preferring the bottle over breast feeding, late menopause and having children later in life.

Breast cancer is more common in women than men due to hormonal changes, lack of reproduction and use of contraceptive pills and radiation exposure at an early age as well as obesity. There is a need for awareness about screening and having regular mammograms.

Dr. Matab Al-Fahidi, member of the scientific committee, said the conference was a success because experts presented a number of important international research papers.

Al-Fahidi said not every lump is a breast tumor and that some women are more at risk than others but they could now avail the latest treatment in breast cancer.

The three best scientific papers were awarded for their excellence in the field of breast cancer.

Dr. Shreehan Abdul Hamid from Shams University of College of Pharmacy won the first prize, Dr. Nasar Al-Haloubi of Qahera University Egypt won the second, and Dr. Badria Al-Juhani, of King Faisal Specialist Hospital, won the third.