Muscat – Oman Cancer Association (OCA) announced details of its 22nd annual walk to support cancer patients under the theme ‘Walk with Hope’ on Wednesday.

The two-day event will be held on October 29 and 30 at Qurum Natural Park as part of activities marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The annual walk is one of Oman’s most prominent community initiatives promoting cancer awareness. It aims to support patients, survivors and their families, reduce the burden associated with the disease and highlight the importance of prevention and early detection.

Dr Waheed bin Ali Al Kharousi, Chairman of the association, said the walk provides an opportunity for the community to stand alongside cancer patients, survivors and their families, while remembering those whose lives have been affected by the disease.

He also stressed the importance of prevention, early detection and adopting healthy lifestyles.

The first day will be an open day featuring awareness and educational activities and other programmes. It will also provide breast cancer early-detection services and basic health checks, including blood pressure and blood sugar tests.

The second day will feature the main walk, covering a distance of less than 2km.

Dr Talal bin Mohammed Al Balushi, a board member of OCA, said the last edition attracted more than 8,000 participants, reflecting growing public interest in cancer prevention and awareness initiatives across Oman.

He said the strong participation also reflected greater community awareness of how to deal with cancer and its psychological and social impact.

The association said the annual event continues to provide a platform for raising awareness, encouraging early detection and strengthening community support for people affected by cancer.