Timely screening for 
breast cancer urged

Breast cancer remains to be one of the most common cancers and an important way to combat this disease is through awareness about the need to conduct regular and timely screenings, they said during the launch of an awareness campaign in Dubai.

Alarmingly, an increasing number of young women are being affected by the disease. “During 2011-2012, we conducted 105 biopsies. Forty-five women were found to have cancer, half of whom were young,” explained Dr Moza Al Hattawi, chairperson of the Dubai Health Authority’s Breast Cancer Campaign that will be rolled out in government offices, universities and schools. “It is a known fact that early detection can save lives and help reduce the number of women who succumb to this disease, yet, we find that there are still a significant number of women who are not aware of this,” she said.

“Almost 20-30 per cent of the women who are detected with breast cancer come to us in the third stage, and this is a trend we want to reduce through such awareness campaigns.”

Al Hattawi said the number of breast cancer cases in DHA hospitals has increased by 20 per cent since 2009. Of all the breast operations conducted in 2009, 25 per cent were due to breast cancer. “Previously women in their 40s and above were affected with this disease; unfortunately over the past few years, we are finding an increasing number of women in their early 30s who have this disease,” she said.

She added that a few patients in their 20s have also been diagnosed with breast cancer. “These are generally cases where there has been a family history of cancer. Such people should ensure that they conduct breast examination from the age of 20, once every year.”

As part of the campaign, a mobile mammogram machine will be taken to every location to conduct on-the-spot screening of women.

Dr Abdulrazzak Al Madani, CEO of Dubai Hospital who inaugurated the campaign at Dubai Hospital on Tuesday, said breast cancer remains the most common cancers. “An important way to combat this disease is through awareness about the need to conduct regular screening,” he said. During each campaign, all those women who have screened themselves will place a pink rose on a huge pink ribbon-shaped stand that has been built for this campaign. The stand will then be displayed in October, which is the official breast cancer awareness month. Dr Hattawi said: “We will also educate women about intimate hygiene. We believe this is a good platform to raise such health issues and educate women about their health and wellbeing.”

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com