Asmaa Elhussiney, an Oncology Clinical Pharmacist and member of the Awareness Team at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Egypt, highlighted a series of recent initiatives aimed at improving patient well-being and strengthening community education for cancer patients and their families.
She shared that the volunteer Awareness Team organized a personal hygiene awareness day for children in the pediatric daycare unit, teaching core hygiene habits through interactive activities. Coloring booklets, hand sanitizers, toothbrushes, and toothpaste were distributed to encourage healthy daily routines among young patients.
In the adult daycare unit, the team delivered a hair-loss awareness session focused on helping patients understand and manage chemotherapy-induced hair loss. The session covered precautions, coping techniques, and self-care strategies designed to support patients throughout treatment.
The Awareness Team also conducted an oral care awareness event centered on preventing and managing oral mucositis, a common side effect of chemotherapy. Patients received practical guidance on oral hygiene routines, along with supportive items such as mouthwash, toothpaste, and toothbrushes.
Additionally, a dedicated session on hand and foot syndrome addressed another widely experienced chemotherapy-related condition. Patients learned about symptoms, prevention, and management, and were provided with emollients to help reduce discomfort and protect skin health.
Together, these initiatives reflect NCI Egypt’s growing emphasis on holistic patient support, practical education, and improving quality of life throughout the cancer care journey.
