Residents from the Capital stand up to cancer

World Cancer Week held in the UAE.

 Over 400,000 people fall victim and lose the battle to cancer every year in the region. As cancer is one of the world's biggest killers, various organisations and initiatives took in solidarity to World Cancer Week, held recently in the UAE.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) called on governments and entities to provide and improve access to quality cancer care and on communities and individuals to lead healthier life styles.Doctor Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said that although the disease is deadly, it is often preventable and thus one must understand that it all comes down to lifestyle choices and habits.
Although cancer is the second leading cause of death in Abu Dhabi according to the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD), over 30 per cent of cancers can be prevented through the adoption of healthy lifestyles.
"Regrettably, evidence shows that cancer rates continue to rise globally and regionally because of unhealthy lifestyles and limited access to treatment and quality cancer care," he noted.Dr Alwan pointed out that there is a pressing need to take great action and reverse the increasing trend of cancer in the region.
"In the next 20 years, cancer rates in our region are expected to almost double, from an estimated 555,318 new cases in 2012 to nearly 961,098 in 2030 - the highest relative increase among all WHO regions."Furthermore, he noted that there are some serious gaps in access to treatment and quality cancer care in many countries in the region."Health systems need to be strengthened by moving towards universal health coverage which means ensuring health care services to all people at affordable costs."
The regional framework for action, a road map for countries of the Region to implement the United Nations Political Declaration on Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases, is central to accelerating action on cancer prevention and control.It sets out some of the strategic milestones that countries need to reach if they are to achieve the nine voluntary targets to reduce the number of premature deaths from NCDs by 25 per cent by 2025. The targets address risk behaviours, such as tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity.
UAE's government are already working hard on improving health awareness and helping the community find ways to detect cancer in the early stages. It is nevertheless equally as vital for the community to also work together and come up with further educational programmes that may help diffuse key messages on signs and symptoms.For instance, Positive Cancer Foundation (PCF) held a series of activities at Dalma Mall-Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Corniche, to help shape the community's mindset to a more positive one towards cancer in all its form.
Awareness activities included testimonials of cancer survivors who talked about their experiences battling the disease. They also shared how the support and understanding of the community helped deal with cancer. While screening and prevention remain an important aspect, how to address cancer with positivity is of equal resonance.
Amal Al Haddabi, President of Positive Cancer Foundation said that creating dynamic awareness on the deadly disease is critical.
 "We are advocating for a positive attitude to co-exist with the fight against cancer. Finding out you have cancer can already take a toll on your emotions and general wellbeing. However, if we all adopt a positive stance and put forward best attitude, we have already won half of the battle."
"To many, this will be a lot easier than done and this is why we are helping to shape the community's perception and outlook to positively impact cancer patients," she added.
The public was also educated about metastatic breast cancer (mBC) - the most advanced form of breast cancer. In fact, one in every three women with breast cancer living in developed countries advance to the metastatic stage.With various support from families, as well as combined medications and proper management, patients can live longer, despite diagnosis of advanced breast cancer.Nadia Younis, Director of Public Affairs and Communications in Pfizer said that although scientists are often coming up with various medications to deal with cancer, it is key for patients to remain positive in order to fight the disease."Being in the forefront of research to find treatment for diseases, we are one with the call to adopt a positive attitude towards dealing with cancer. While cancer like mBC is daunting, there is hope."
"We can all work together to bring a better quality of life to the patients and it starts with a positive mindset. For our part, we are working towards an innovative solution to improve the patients' lives and add more years for them to be with their loved ones through breakthrough medications," she added.
 jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi