The week-long ride to raise breast cancer awareness concludes in Abu Dhabi.
Published: Thu 28 Feb 2019, 11:00 PM
Last updated: Sat 2 Mar 2019, 1:26 PM
Friday morning in Abu Dhabi was windy and cloudy but 13 riders of Pink Caravan rode bravely to complete the 170-km seven-day trek across the seven emirates. The final phase of the ride from the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to Louvre Abu Dhabi marked the culmination of the ninth edition of the Pink Caravan campaign, which had started on February 23.
In the first six days, a total of 5,421 screenings were carried out in six emirates.
The total number of screenings in Ras Al Khaimah was 842 on Thursday. The highlight of the seven-day campaign is the keen interest shown by local girls and women towards screening for breast cancer.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, said the Pink Caravan Ride is an important initiative to create a strong and healthy society. "The UAE citizens should be aware of breast cancer - a disease that can be treated.
This campaign has helped increase awareness in the country. I admire and support what Pink Caravan is doing.
"Such a campaign enhances our motivation to do more for the society," Sheikh Nahyan said during the closing ceremony in Abu Dhabi.
Reem BinKaram, head of Pink Caravan Higher Organisation Committee, said the ninth edition of the campaign has seen a big participation from local women, which was a path-breaking development. She told Khaleej Times that there was a concentrated effort to encourage locals to join the trek and the response was tremendously positive.
"We had a lot of Emirati riders this year, which means there is more engagement from the local community. The expat community has always engaged with Pink Caravan. We have been always encouraging female riders to join us. So this year has been about breaking norms and past restrictions."
Reem said the mass participation from local women is reflection of a growing family.
"This is what Pink Caravan has managed to do in past nine years. Changing mindset is not only about riding for Pink Caravan but also about doing breast examination. Women now are more aware. The general public is more aware. We know that in our society in order to move a household, you just have to convince the mother. This is same for almost all Middle Eastern countries. So, it was really interesting when we have girls coming in (for examination). This is giving the right message to the younger generation."
She noted this edition's youngest volunteer eight-month-old Ameera making a visit to a clinic was a blessed development. "She is daughter of our volunteer, who is with us from Day One. Pink Caravan House is a growing family. We are blessed," Reem added. Even as the trek has ended, the permanent clinics across seven emirates will continue to welcome visitors for free screening till next week.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
Breast cancer in men is rare but fatal: Expert
Breast cancer in men is rare but it tends to be very aggressive with higher mortality rate than women, a medical expert has said during the final day of Pink Caravan Ride in Abu Dhabi.
Dr Rehab Mohammed from Kuwait Hospital Sharjah, who led examination in Pink Caravan Mobile Medical Clinic at Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi, said men suffer due to lack of awareness.
"We have diagnosed so many cases among men. Problem is that they don't even do self-examination. Even if they see a lump, skin lesion or change in colour of skin, they will never take it seriously. When diagnosed with breast cancer, most men are shocked as they believe it can happen to women," Rehab told Khaleej Times.
She noted that breast cancer cases among men can turn dangerous, especially as it is detected in advanced stages. "Most of them are diagnosed during late stages.
In some cases, the cancer will spread to other parts of the body like lungs, kidney and prove to be fatal. Breast cancer becomes very aggressive in men due to delay in treatment," she said.
Rehab is associated with Pink Caravan Ride for three years now and is happy that the campaign is creating awareness about the need for clinical examinations and importance of early detection of the disease. "This year we have seen increased participation from men. This shows they are becoming aware. Also when we examine a wife, we tell her husband to do examination. Men can at least do self-examination. Early detection is the key," she reiterated.
Even though the campaign ends, permanent clinics continue to offer services across seven emirates on Saturday.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
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