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Women Over 40 to be Screened During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

ABU DHABI — Health centres around the country are observing breast cancer awareness month, with educational lectures and screenings of women over the age of 40 in an effort to decrease the high rate of cases in the country.

Breast cancer awareness month, an international event in October from 1983, holds a special significance in the country where breast cancer is a leading cause of death among women.

On the occasion, Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), which is managed by Cleveland Clinic, in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, has planned various activities till the end of the month.

The multidisciplinary breast clinic of SKMC has a breast surgeon, plastic surgeon, medical oncologist, nursing team, dietitian and family practitioner.

SKMC also has a support group for women with breast cancer called Ladies of Courage, which is chaired by Dr Patricia Snozyk.

The support group meets monthly to discuss issues that women with this disease confront in their daily lives.

Al Mafraq Hospital, managed by Bumrungrad International Limited (BIL), will also be conducting a month-long campaign to provide patients and patrols of the hospital with advice and instructions to familiarise them with methods of preventing the disease.

Medical evidence shows that cancerous cells could be rapidly growing before any of the physical symptoms appear, so to detect the disease at the early stages, regular breast screening is important.

The earlier the disease is found the easier it can be treated and the more time allowed for treatment. Yet unfortunately, over 80 per cent of the breast cancer diagnoses in the UAE are made in the advanced stages.

The highest breast cancer incidence in the UAE occurs in women aged between 45 and 54, while the highest breast cancer mortality rate occurs in women aged between 45 and 59, of which 27 per cent are Emiratis.

Breast screening that includes clinical examination, radiology and laboratory investigations is the most reliable way to detect breast cancer as early as possible when it’s most curable.

Mammograms have proved to help lower breast cancer deaths by 35 per cent in women over 50 years, making it a key prevention step.

Experts recommend that although women in their late teens and twenties are usually too young for a mammogram, they should begin breast self-examination once every three months and start screening at least once every three years.

From the age of 40, experts recommend, breast screening at least once a year.

asmahamid@khaleejtimes.com