In collaboration with Health Authority Abu Dhabi

Universities in Abu Dhabi Host Health Talks on Breast Cancer Awareness in October

6 breast cancer cases were diagnosed out of 500 women who underwent diagnostic screenings in 2016 at “Danat Al Emarat Hospital” in Abu Dhabi

In cooperation with the Health Authority Abu Dhabi, key universities in Abu Dhabi are hosting a series of health talks and activities to raise awareness on the importance of breast screening and early detection of breast cancer. Physicians from Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women and Children will present at New York University Abu Dhabi University and Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi as well as GEMS academies during different awareness events in October.

Joining numerous world-wide landmark buildings, Danat Al Emarat Hospital was lit in PINK on 1 October 2016 and will be lit for thirty days to mark its Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign 2016 under the theme “Think Pink. Get Checked Today”.

Physicians announced that 6 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed since January 2016 out of 500 women who underwent breast diagnostic screenings at the Breast Imaging & Mammogram Unit at the hospital.

Dr. Mohammed Abdullatif, Specialist Breast Imaging at Danat Al Emarat Hospital, said that Danat Al Emarat Hospital is accredited by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi as a center for breast screening in Abu Dhabi. The radiology department at the hospital has advanced equipment, including a mammogram unit and state-of-the-art ultrasound devices.

He also explained that the diagnosed cases were of women above 40 years old with tumors in the second and third stages which are considered late stages, and emphasized the necessity of early diagnosis and periodic exams in order to detect the disease in its early stages, which leads to higher survival rates.

To mark the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a series of awareness talks about breast cancer and the importance of early detection are to be held at Danat Al Emarat hospital every Thursday in October at 10 am.

Vino Nallaya, CEO of Danat Al Emarat Hospital said, “Our campaign commenced today by our multi-disciplinary team from Danat Al Emarat Hospital and HealthPlus Specialty Centers. As we aim to improve women’s health, we are holding a series of awareness talks and offering all participants a complimentary invitation for breast screening at the hospital. We are also collaborating with key universities, schools and corporate organizations on holding awareness events at their facilities.”

“During these talks, our gynecologists and family medicine physicians will be speaking about women’s health, breast self-examinations, breast screening protocols and the importance of early detection. The earlier a tumor is detected and treated, the better the outcomes are. International studies confirm that early diagnosis of breast cancer lead to higher survival rates of above 90%, whereas the survival rates of late diagnosis—stages 2 and 3—ranged between 60% and 70%,” she said.

She noted that, “As we aim to reach out to females in the younger age group, several awareness events will be held at key universities and schools in Abu Dhabi including New York University Abu Dhabi, Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, GEMS World Academy and others.”

“Students above 16 years old at the above institutes and their parents are invited to attend these talks. We also engaged with several other active women’s groups in Abu Dhabi and will be at the Pink Ladies Golf Day at Yas Links Abu Dhabi on October 16th in addition to a joint event with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) on 12th October,” Ms. Nallaya added.

Majd Abu Zant, Chief Operating Officer of UEMedical said, “During last year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, over 300 women visited our Breast Diagnostic Unit at Danat Al Emarat Hospital for a breast screening, an evident of the success of such awareness activities as we aim to encourage women for screenings, adapting healthy lifestyles and performing breast self-exams every month. In line with our activities this year, we expect the number of women we will see for breast screening to double or triple during the month of October.”

“Danat Al Emarat Hospital is also the Healthcare Partner at the 2016 ADCB Zayed Sports City Pink 5&10K Run presented by Daman Activelife and organized by Gulf Multi Sports on October 14. Besides acting as a healthcare partner for the event, 50 employees of Danat Al Emarat will participate in the run to sweat for Breast Cancer awareness.”, he concluded.