Doctors urge women to undergo mammogram once in 2 years
Later stage diagnosis decreases the prognosis for long-term survival and makes it difficult to treat the disease without resorting to aggressive plans.”
Dr Suhaila Alameeri, consultant anatomic pathologist, National Reference Laboratory
It is very important for all women to know that a lump in the breast or underarm is usually visible on a mammogram long before it can be seen or felt.”
Dr Mai Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, medical director, Healthpoint
abu dhabi — Breast cancer is the number one cancer affecting women worldwide and the UAE is no exception. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 565 women in the UAE are diagnosed with breast cancer per year. This is in spite of the cancer screening guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHP) recommending that all women between 40-69 years of age — and those who have a greater risk due to their family history or patient medical records — undergo a mammogram screening examination every two years.
Regrettably, many women in the UAE are waiting until they experience symptoms before consulting with their doctor, although in many cases symptoms of breast cancer will not appear until the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage.
During October, the breast cancer awareness month, medical experts at the National Reference Laboratory and Healthpoint — both part of Mubadala’s network — are
highlighting the importance of early detection to increase the survival rate of this disease.
“Many women are unaware of their family’s medical history, thereby reducing their knowledge of their susceptibility to the disease. Later stage diagnosis decreases the prognosis for long-term survival and makes it more difficult to treat the disease without resorting to aggressive treatment plans,” said Dr Suhaila Alameeri, consultant anatomic pathologist at the National Reference Laboratory and member of the National Taskforce for Breast and Cervical Cancer
Screening Programme.
Early detection is when the disease is in its initial stages (0-II) and has not yet spread to other parts of the body requires less aggressive treatment and can result in a survival rate of between 93 to 100 per cent. However, if left undetected and allowed to progress untreated, the survival rate of this disease drops significantly to 22 per cent.
“We strongly encourage all women in the UAE to take charge of their health by performing regular selfexaminations and undergoing the appropriate screening tests according to their age and risk factors. It is
important for all women to know that a lump in the breast or underarm is usually visible on a mammogram long before it can be seen or felt,” said Dr Mai Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, medical director at Healthpoint.
A mammogram is an imaging test used as the first line of clinical screening for breast cancer. If this screening detects potential abnormalities, several other imaging and/or laboratory diagnostic testing can be carried out to confirm or exclude a breast cancer diagnosis.
Meanwhile, Ignite’s Pink is Punk, a breast cancer awareness and fundraising event raised Dh87,000 raised and donated to Brest Friends, in association with Al Jalila Foundation.
The annual event upped the ante for its seventh edition with a 3km fun run category added to the traditional run: swim format. The new format brought together 800 attendees of all ages and fitness levels, who showed their support with a pink fancy dress and super-hero costumes to honour cancer patients and survivors.
“We are overwhelmed by the response we received today, having raised Dh87,000 — more than double the amount raised in 2017 — towards cancer research as well as the palliative care and support of patients,” said Guillaume Mariole, co-founder and CEO of the IGNITE Group. “I got diagnosed early thanks to an awareness drive and as a survivor, I champion and encourage women and men to continue backing events. They are powerful platforms that help with education, awareness and action, while driving early detection and effective care,” said breast cancer survivor Jenny Waite, who cycled from Bangkok to Siem Reap over five days to raise over Dh41,000.