Pink Caravan screens over 2,000 in first 3 days

Riders arrive at Saqr hospital in Ras Al Khaimah on the third day of Pink Caravan 2018. - KT photo by Neeraj Murali

More than 2,000 clinical screenings of breast cancer have been carried out in three days as Pink Caravan Ride, a nationwide cancer awareness initiative, reached in Ras Al Khaimah on Saturday.
A total of nine horse riders volunteered to ride across the emirate as part of the seven-day annual breast cancer awareness campaign on Saturday.
The riders met at RAK's Department of Economic Development at 8.30am and then took off to Saqr Hospital as their first stop at 10 am. Their last stop was the Al Qawasim Corniche, where the campaign's first ever mobile clinic was also present.
One of the riders, Shathra Al Hajjaj, was encouraged to take part in this year's ride after her father died from rectal cancer in 2017. She took part in the campaign when it was first launched in 2011 and the second time in 2013.
Al Hajjaj, who has been riding horses for 15 years, believes that people should get regular cancer screenings to increase their chances of defeating the disease.
"We discovered it very late; so, I want to highlight the importance of getting early screenings," she said. "My father passed away only three months after we discovered the cancer. Many people think that it'll never happen to them - we were the same. We never imagined we'd lose someone so precious from this disease."
"Just keep a mindset that it can happen to anyone, and detecting it earlier increases your chances of survival. Most cancers don't show visible signs. That's why early screenings are so important," Al Hajjaj stressed.
According to the Pink Caravan, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. It is also the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the second leading cause of death among women. Although breast cancer in men is rare, about 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 410 will die each year.
A first-time rider with the Pink Caravan campaign, Nada Ibrahim, has seen breast cancer at close quarters too. "Two cousins had breast cancer before. A close friend passed away from the cancer. People lack awareness on breast cancer, so it's initiatives like these that are really important," said Nada, who's been riding horses for six years.
Another rider, Shaikha Alhosani, lost her grandmother to cancer. This was Alhosani's first year with the Pink Caravan campaign. "My grandmother's death gave me motivation to take part and support others to get tested," she said.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com