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Women to be educated on facts and myths of cancer

Named ‘Awareness 2’, the programme, which was launched in April in conjunction with Friends of Cancer Patients and the Sharjah Medical District, will continue until the end of June. It will provide information on effective means of self-examination and prevention. Epidemiological studies indicate that environment and lifestyle are just two major factors in the causes of cancer.

Over the past 20 years, the UAE — as the rest of the GCC states — has been witnessing a rapid development in many aspects of life which has been paralleled with an increase in major public health problems including a rise in cancer incidence. Currently cancer is the third major cause of death in the after cardiovascular diseases and accidents.

The availability of modern medical facilities and growing public awareness of the disease have made the early detection and diagnosis of cancer in the UAE possible. One of the most common forms of malignancy amongst females across the country is breast cancer; a disease experts say can be treated effectively, if diagnosed early enough.

“The capability to detect breast cancer at an early stage has improved dramatically today, especially when compared to the 1980s. We are witnessing better outcomes in its treatment and this is why we have undertaken this initiative to make the public aware of its risks,” said Dr Sawsan Al Madhi from Friends of Cancer Patients.

“Despite the frightening statistics which cancer presents for us, people must be conscious of the fact that it is not a death sentence when diagnosed and treated early, and that there are many simple preventative measures if taken can stop the disease from developing in the first place. It is a known fact that more than 80 per cent of cancers can be avoidable through changes in personal lifestyle and environment alone," Dr Sawsan added.

Friends of Cancer Patients coordinating with Dr Amina Al Marzouqi, Dean, Student Affairs for Women at Sharjah University, initiated the scheme which continues till June in cooperation with The Mother and Child Clinic.

• UAE