Genetic screening brings more people to pink ride

Dubai Design District (D3) shared its roads with some four-legged friends on Monday, as the Pink Caravan Ride (PCR) came to Dubai as part of the seven-day breast cancer awareness initiative.
One of the first people to turn out for a check-up at the mobile clinic at D3 was mother-of-one, Anju George.
In the past, she has had several operations to remove lumps from her breast, and thankfully all have been benign. However, she always makes sure to get checked regularly. "My mother passed away from breast cancer when she was just 35, so I have a close family history. That does concern me," she told Khaleej Times.
With her medical records in tow, George said she usually goes for a clinical examination with her family physician, but she came to the Pink Caravan mobile clinic because of the genetic testing.
"If I do receive a positive diagnosis then I would like the option to have a genetic test done. It is too costly to do it otherwise and will help me figure out the next step."
To mark its ninth anniversary, the campaign aims to offer free medical checkups to 9,000 women and men this year. And so far, since its inauguration, the ride has helped treat 60 women and one man for breast cancer.
"Last year was the highest number for positive results on record. We had 15 people diagnosed with breast cancer, but going forward we want that number to decrease because we want to educate people about early diagnosis," Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, director-general of the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) and head of PCR Medical Committee, said.
Speaking about the fixed clinic options for people who can't make it down to the equine ride locations, Dr Sawsan encouraged all to access the free screening clinic at Ibn Battuta mall.
"We introduced this concept of a fixed clinic three years ago. We know the work-life conflicts of today so this option is open from 4pm-10pm every day, so caters to those wanted to get checked out, even if they don't have insurance."
So far, 2,338 men and women have undergone consultations as part of this year's ride. In Ajman, the 588 people consulted on Sunday were split between 319 at the daily clinics and 269 at the mobile clinic.
Today, the trek will continue in Umm Al Quwain. Medical clinics will be stationed at Al Salama Health Centre, Umm Al Quwain Hospital, Falaj Al Mualla Health Center, and Al Qassimi Hospital for Women and Children. Meanwhile, the fixed clinic will be stationed at Umm Al Quwain Mall.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai