UAE: Expat beating cancer in time of Covid-19

Abu Dhabi - Specialists have had to face a host of challenges in treating cancer patients amid Covid.

Emmaculate Njoki, 29, couldn’t contain her excitement last March, when she came to know that she is in the family way. However, she was unaware about the lurking danger behind her impending motherhood.

Njoki was diagnosed with molar pregnancy, a malignant strain that had spread to her lungs. Her pregnancy was a short-lived affair, and she underwent three cycles of chemotherapy.

Soon, she became free of cancer, and doctors told her that she could conceive a child after a year. On the occasion of World Cancer Day — being observed today — Njoki had nothing but gratitude for her oncologist Dr Arun Karanwal​ of Prime Hospital, Dubai, who provided all the support she needed.

“I was unaware of the underlying health condition had I not gone for my pregnancy test,” she said.

“Dr Karanwal handled my case admirably well. He helped me come to terms with reality by allaying my fears. He was a calming influence on me and prepared me to undergo chemotherapy,” she said.

Njoki’s experience encapsulated the importance of prevention, screenings and early detection in rising above cancer. The theme for this year’s World Cancer Day is ‘I Am and I Will’, which is centered on raising awareness about the disease.

Amid Covid-19, specialists have had to face a host of challenges in treating cancer patients.

“The treatment options were carefully selected because of the contagion. We have to defer chemotherapy or radiotherapy sessions because of the viral outbreak. Teleconsultation was instituted instead of face-to-face treatment. Patients were also panic-stricken of contracting Covid-19,” Dr Karanwal said.

The need of the hour, he said, would be to improve the cure rates of early stages of cancer.“Therapies are required for microscopic resistant cells.”