Breast cancer awareness campaign held in Ajman

The event was part of the wider campaign being held in other emirates in the country on breast cancer under the patronage of Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, president of the UAE Women Association and honorary head of the High National Committee for Breast Cancer.

Dr Munawar Shahab, general practitioner, Primary Healthcare, Ajman Medical Complex, said: “The purpose of this campaign is to raise awareness about the risks of breast cancer and the necessity for regular self-examination. We have been stressing all along that early detection is the key to cure.”

“There is no specific age at which the breast examination is recommended. This disease can hit women in their twenties, thirties or forties. Three women in their twenties were diagnosed with breast cancer in the UAE. That is why we recommend regular self-examination to detect any changes like lumps or swelling around the breast before it is too late,” Dr Shahab added.

During the function held on Thursday, brochures and booklets on breast cancer, disease prevention and cure were given away. Doctors and medical experts were available at the mall to respond to queries about the disease.

Dr Amira Abdel Sattar Mursi, head of the Breast Cancer Committee in Ajman, pointed out that early detection involves three stages: 1) self-examination which should be done every month; 2) clinical examination annually; and 3) mammogram every two years.

“Usually women in their forties are the most likely to get breast cancer but it is preferable that women under forty also undergo the examinations especially if there are diagnosed cases of breast cancer in their families. Women without children and those taking excessive contraceptive tablets are also at risk,” Dr Mursi added.

Apart from Dr Shahab and Dr Mursi, Maryam Abdel Qader, chief of the Nursing Section at the Motherhood and Childhood Care Centre, also took part in the awareness function.

According to statistics compiled by medical authorities in the UAE, 6.6 per cent of women in the country have the disease. The Centre of Motherhood and Childhood Care in Ajman, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, is organising free check-ups for women nationals and expatriates.

Previous public awareness functions on breast cancer were held in other shopping malls, including Lulu Hypermarket and City Centre. Ajman awareness drive comes as part of the general campaign that is being organised across the UAE from October 22 to November 22 under the auspices of the Ministry of Health.