• Home

Genetic Testing Soon to Screen for Breast Cancer

DUBAI — Genetic testing may soon be part of the UAE’s national breast cancer screening programme, according to health officials.

Officials are currently battling budgetary deficits and social acceptance of the method ahead of its planned inclusion into the national programme that was set up in 1999.

Free testing will be done on only those with a family or past history of breast cancer. However, officials say social acceptance of the disease and the ensuing treatment methods, including mastectomy may deter women from opting for genetic testing.

In the UAE, breast cancer tops the list followed by colon, leukaemia, lymphomas and thyroid.

“Genetic testing is already being done for other hereditary diseases such as thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia,” said Dr Mona Al Sebelgy, Coordinator for the National Breast Cancer Programme in Sharjah for Planning
and Evaluation.

“Such testing is a standard procedure in the West but it is not socially acceptable in our society yet,” said Dr Mona who is also a consultant in family medicine. “Since women screened under this kind of testing are at 50-80 per cent more risk which may result in aggressive treatment methods including removal of the breast. This is not acceptable in our society yet,” she said.

Though resources such as equipped laboratories exist, there remains a shortage of manpower. “Knowing that you have cancer can affect people differently. Psychiatric counsellors can help women overcome the stress they may be undergoing,” she said.

While the government facilities are still contemplating the inclusion of the testing in the national programme, private facilities are already offering it.

“This region is not quite ready for the predictive way yet,” said Dr Sanjida Ahmed, Director for Research at Dubai-based Eastern Biotech that carries out several other tests.

Up till now, the company has not carried out more than such 50 tests that cost between Dh1,000-2,800, in association with laboratories in India and US.

“Western countries are more health conscious and the acceptance is also more but we have noticed change over the past two years,” she explained.

Currently women above 40 are being recruited under the national programme and offered free mammography exams at all eight primary healthcare centres under the health ministry. Home screening programmes, especially in rural areas are not
that successful.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.ae