In a strongly worded message to women, Dr Sawsan Madhi, Secretary-General of the Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), has said that breast cancer does not only strike in October and wearing pink during the month has become a fashion statement.

Despite carrying out a number of awareness campaigns over the past 12 years, Dr Sawsan feels that women still do not want to accept that the disease is a fact that can happen to them. “We have to start with awareness, education and acceptance,” she said in an exclusive talk with Khaleej Times, urging women to step forward for screening.

According to Dr Sawsan, even following up with women screened for the disease under the Pink Caravan, a national screening and awareness campaign launched by the FOCP over a year ago, was indeed tough.

The FOCP operates under the patronage of Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

“We could not follow up many cases because women did not want to give us their numbers since they were afraid to accept and too shy to carry out self examination,” she added. Breast cancer cannot be prevented but the earlier it is discovered, the higher the survival rate is, she explained.

Dr Sawsan said that through the screening programme, it was found that women residing in far-flung areas of the UAE were more open to ideas as compared to those residing in urban areas.

“Women in these areas have a thirst for knowledge whereas those residing in the cities presume that they can visit a doctor anytime and hence do not show interest in awareness talks,” she said.

As per international statistics, one in eight women suffers from cancer. “Over 70 per cent of our population is expatriate and hence they come with their own risk factors, so we cannot say that the incidence of disease is higher in this part of the world,” she added.

The UAE is fully equipped in terms of machines and expertise to handle breast cancer. “This is the 21^st century and with technology we can prevent women from dying,” said Dr Sawsan.

“Women are a crucial part of the family and we cannot let them die due to this disease. They have to know the signs and symptoms,” she said, adding that the goal of Pink Caravan was to empower women.

The FOCP has also recently signed an agreement with the French Institut Gustave Roussy (IGR) and Sharjah University Hospital to provide treatment to needy cancer patients free of cost. The hospital is set to open in October 2012.

“The aim is to provide another facility that can provide quality service and social support to patients,” she said. The facility will also provide cancer treatment guidelines as well serve as a cancer registry,” added Dr Sawsan.

The FOCP was established to help needy patients suffering from six types of cancer.

The awareness arm of the FOCP is called Kashf (detection) and will continue its mission of raising awareness on early detectable cancers.

It is a charitable organisation that operates on donations. It also welcomes Zakat donations that can help needy cancer patients. Details can be found on www.focp.ae and www.pinkcaravan.ae.

Pink Caravan finds 20 positive cases

The Pink Caravan screened 15,000 women over the past year of which 5,000 were found to have some kind of abnormalities and were referred for mammograms.

“Of these, only 20 positive cases were discovered in early stages of cancer and none of them were UAE nationals,” said Dr Sawsan. The cases were found after ultrasound and biopsies were carried out on suspected abnormalities. All are undergoing treatment.

She, however, clarified that having abnormalities did not mean cancer. “The lumps sometimes develop due to cystic changes,” she added.

Since the caravan screened younger women starting 20 and above as compared to the routine screening of those aged above 40, more younger women were found to be suffering from cancer.

“By experience of the GCC region, we are now discovering more younger women with cancer,” she added.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE