Early detection of breast cancer can save lives.
According to Dr Jalaa Assad Taher, manager of non-communicable diseases at the Health Authority — Abu Dhabi (Haad), breast cancer is a preventable disease and has a curable rate of up to 98 per cent when discovered and treated early.
The Haad statistics showed that late detection (stage 3) of breast cancer in the emirate has continually declined over the past six years — from 65 per cent in 2007 to 16 per cent in 2013. Mammogram screening has tremendously helped in the reduction of cancer presented in late stages as well as in diagnosing new cases.
Walkathon and screening
The Haad has launched its annual cancer prevention awareness campaign — ‘Live Healthily and Simply Check' — this month beginning with breast cancer.
GoYAS, Yas Marina Circuit's female-only weekly community health and fitness initiative, on Wednesday hosted the ‘Circuits on the Circuit' event, aimed at raising money for breast cancer. A giant pink ribbon was erected in front of the four exercise stations where women have to complete 15 different exercises at 20-second intervals at each station.
For every station completed, the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Daman and Yas Marina Circuit each donated Dh25 to breast cancer charity. The event raised Dh11,000 with over 1,000 participants.
"Many women's cancers can be avoided or minimised if detected early and so the importance of these events cannot be underestimated. We are delighted to be supporting such a worthy cause and doing our part in the fight against this disease that affects so many women worldwide,” said Raysa Al Ketbi, operational manager at the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy.
On Tuesday, women residents took part in an hour-long pink walk at the World Trade Centre Mall (WTC Mall). Participants were also offered a complimentary consultation and breast screening at Mediclinic.
A symbolic walkathon was also held at Abu Dhabi Mall on Thursday and medical personnel from Al Noor Hospital offered body mass index and blood pressure checks as well as heath tips and distributed health information material. Pink Polo also made its campus tour at Alhosn University, sharing information about early detection and treatment through its Pink Clinic.
Breast cancer is the leading cancer in Abu Dhabi and the leading cause of cancer deaths, accounting for 13 per cent in both sexes.
Majority of those diagnosed are between the ages of 40 and 54 with the youngest diagnosis at 24 years — much younger than the average age of diagnosis in the US, which was 61 years.
According to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), a good number of patients below the age of 40 have a positive family history of cancer and that majority of cancers were discovered in the second stage and 30 per cent were discovered in the third stage of the disease.
"This can be changed if women start becoming more proactive about their health. If detected at stage 1, the chances of survival are between 95 to 100 per cent,” said Dr Nabil Debouni, medical director and consultant, general surgery, at Burjeel Hospital.
"The chances of survival reduce to 86 per cent if detected at stage 2, and become 57 per cent only at stage 3,” he added.
He pointed out that the stigma associated with cancer in the region is one of the reasons for the late diagnosis. Women in the region are worried about having to go through the trauma of breast cancer tissue removal (mastectomy), so they ignore the symptoms.
According to the World Health Organisation, in 2013, the U.A.E. had a higher incident rate compared to its neighbouring countries.
Risk factors
Although breast cancer has no certain cause, there are risk factors that increase the chance of breast cancer. These include family history of breast cancer, exposure to large amounts of radiation in childhood, first menstruation period before the age of 12, menopause after 55, not having children till 35 years, overweight, use of hormone replacement therapy, use of birth control pills and alcohol.
According to experts, breast cancer is primarily due to lifestyle and not genetic. Only five-10 per cent of breast cancer is due to inherited gene mutations. They also advise to avoid risk factors such as smoking and alcohol.
Source: Khaleej Times