Latest technology spreads openness on breast cancer
Early detection is synonymous with short-term less costly treatments while studies have shown that survival rates are at 93 per cent
Continuing advancements in the technology and medicines including the multi-disciplinary approach relative to all forms of breast cancer have helped patients to be more open, accepting and embracing of their condition, said a clinical psychologist who also underscored the importance of unceasing support not only for this group but for their families and loved ones as well.
On Tuesday morning and from the launch of the Zulekha Hospitals’ annual “Pink It Now-bolder & Stronger Together (Education. Early Detection) 2022” inauguration in Dubai, chief guest Ministry of Health and Prevention-public Health assistant undersecretary Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand was thankful for the breast cancer awareness/education drive pioneered in 2012: “We value public and private partnerships (PPPS) for public health education programmes (that are the proper sources for correct information). We appreciate Zulekha hospitals for providing free screening opportunities (free mammogrammes and oncology/general surgery consultations including 50 per cent discount on ultrasound tests if necessary). Such PPPS can give our people beter healthcare. Let us fight breast cancer as one team. Let us find the tool for our people so we would not leave anyone behind.”
University of California-san Francisco (USA) Medicine professor/breast cancer survivor Dr. Pamela Munster who joined the launch virtually and Al Rand said in their individual speeches that everyone, particularly the women who are more susceptibletothediseasemustmakethediagnostics a part of their lives, not only once a year - during October - but at any time throughout the year.
Early detection is synonymous to short-term less costly treatments while studies have shown that survival rates are at 93 per cent.
Munster, Radiology specialist Dr. Anil Kumar Arora, Medical Oncology consultant Dr. Soha Abdelbaky, and General Surgery specialist Dr. Maria Shabbir Saria discussed the improvements made for the diagnostics, treatment and cure for all mild to aggressive breast cancers that include genomic testing because the disease like any other abnormal growth and spread of cells in any part of the body, manifests differently in each person, due to ethnicity among other genetic factors; genomic analysis which estimates recurrences; targeted therapy; radiation therapy; immunotherapy and breast conservation surgery vis-à-vis radical mastectomy.
Medical Oncology specialist Dr. Bharadwaj Ponnada discussed the significance of a hospital having its Tumour Board whereby outcomes of all laboratory tests are meticulously discussed and reviewed for each cancer case by the multidisciplinary team consisting of medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiotherapists, pathologists and radiologists. Their aim is optimal patient care.
For all these developments Clinical psychologist Arathi Vijayan, in response to the Gulf Today query on how breast cancer patients, majority of whom are women, have coped and are coping, considering their innate strength and fortitude, gave a positive answer. She pointed out that it all boils down to one’s character. Some are resilient. Some are clobbered by anxiety. Some may be alone by themselves being expatriate workers. Hence, strong and determined support systems; continuing educational and awareness dialogues and programmes for the beter understanding of the disease and consequent cures; and health professionals coming together to for the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual amelioration of patients and their families are basic.
One point raised at the open forum, the Novel Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the late diagnosis of breast cancer. Medical Oncology consultant Abdeldaky cited one case of a woman who informed her that her lump through self-breast examination was “six months back yet but she was scared to go to the hospital.”
Also on the question from a medical student regarding the connection between breast augmentation and reduction, Radiology specialist Arora said: “There are challenges in the detection of breast cancer but it can be diagnosed.”
In the UAE and from the World Health Organisation 2020 data presented at the launch, 21.4 per cent of the total number of cancers registered, affected the breasts for both men and women, with 38.8 per cent females of all ages.
From the Zulekha Hospitals records since 2012, of the 13,500 who had availed of the “Pink It Now” free screenings and consultations, five to six had been found to be at the early stages of the disease.