Breast cancer awareness is critical for catching symptoms early and improving the outcome if diagnosed on time.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

With breast cancer overtaking lung cancer as the most common cancer worldwide, for the first time in 2020, Pink Caravan, a pan-UAE breast cancer awareness initiative by the Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), is stepping up efforts to reinforce its key messages of early detection and timely diagnosis through a series of free clinical screenings, expert medical consultations, and educational awareness lectures.

In observance of the International Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Sharjah-based nonprofit has strengthened its resolve to promote breast health amongst the UAE’s international community and offer tailored solutions to meet their needs, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the challenges of late-stage diagnosis and lack of access to treatment.

A total of 21 mobile clinics offering free mammogram screenings, 12 breast cancer awareness talks in English and Arabic, and a ‘Pink Steps’ challenge, have been scheduled by Pink Caravan to urgently educate the community and increase awareness of risk factors and prevention measures. Globally, breast cancer now represents one in four of all cancers in women, and Pink Caravan is building on its existing community outreach through a strong network of public and private sector entities to enable women and men in the UAE overcome the multiple barriers to access timely screening and diagnosis and provide vital support to all individuals diagnosed with breast cancer.

Free breast cancer screening at 8 locations in Sharjah and Dubai:

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UAE, with a total of 1,030 new cases diagnosed in 2020.

Since early detection offers a better choice of treatment options and increases survival rates, eight mobile clinics of Pink Caravan will offer free diagnostic services such as clinical breast examinations and mammograms at select locations across Sharjah and Dubai.
A total of 21 mobile clinics offering free mammogram screenings, 12 breast cancer awareness talks in English and Arabic.

In Sharjah, community members can access Pink Caravan’s free screening services at Sharjah Ladies Club (Oct 16, 1pm -7pm) and at the Zero 6 Mall (Oct 21, 4pm -10pm).

Residents and visitors in Dubai can avail of the medical screening facilities at RAW Coffee (Oct 5, 9am -3pm); Mirdif City Centre (Oct 14, 4pm -10pm). City Walk (Oct 15, 4pm -10pm); Dubai Ladies Club (Oct 20, 8am -5pm); La Mer (Oct 22, 4pm -10pm); and Dubai Frame (Oct 29, 4pm -10pm).

The staff and families of 13 public and private sector organisations in the UAE can also avail the services of Pink Caravan’s mobile medical clinics during October.

12 informational breast health webinars and online lectures: Breast cancer awareness is critical for catching symptoms early and improving outcomes if diagnosed on time; 222 individuals succumbed to the disease in the UAE in 2020.

To therefore promote societal awareness of regular self-checks and mammogram screenings, Pink Caravan is hosting three educational awareness webinars, featuring specialists in the field for all community members.
Pink Caravan will also host nine online lectures targeting a cross-spectrum of public and private corporate entities in UAE.

Dr Kamini Naik, Specialist Gynaecologist, Obstetrician and Lactation Specialist, will hold an awareness talk on ‘Breast Cancer’ in English on October 5 at 11am. On October 18 at 11am, Dr. Angham Aman, General Physician and Health Educator. will also deliver an awareness talk in Arabic on Breast Cancer. Dr. Jacqueline Maria Dias, Associate Professor, Chair of the department of nursing at the College of Health Science, will lead the English session on October 25 at 11am, and offer insights into the importance of ‘Psychological support for women with breast cancer’.

Pink Caravan will also host nine online lectures targeting a cross-spectrum of public and private corporate entities in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai to extend its messaging to a larger segment of the community. These lectures form part of FOCP’s ‘Corporate Wellness Day’ initiative. ‘Pink Steps’ Challenge on Relay by FOCP app  Running through the month of October is the Pink Steps challenge, open to both individuals and corporate organisations in the UAE.  To enter the challenge of taking 8,000 steps every day in support of cancer patients, participants must download the Relay by FOCP mobile app, register online and join the Relay For Life (RLF) community. Top 20 winners will be awarded with 20,000 Loyalty Dots, equivalent to Dhs200 while 30 lucky winners will earn 10,000 Loyalty Dots equivalent to Dhs100.