Abu Dhabi
Healthcare facilities across the emirate of Abu Dhabi must report all newly diagnosed cancer cases directly to the Health Authority Abu Dhabi, senior health officials announced in the capital Wednesday.
These reports, which became mandatory from October 1 onwards, will form a cancer registry so that the HAAD can conduct more focused research on cancer incidence and prevalence, said Dr Jalaa Taher, section head for cancer control and prevention at the HAAD.
“We have seen increased awareness in recent years about the different cancers that plague the Abu Dhabi population. However, we need clearer data on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment trends so better public health programmes can be offered,” Dr Jalaa told Gulf News.
She was speaking on the sidelines of a conference to launch the HAAD’s Cancer Wave Health Promotion Project, which aims to provide awareness and prevention tips to protect against cancers such as breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer.
In the emirate, the different forms of cancer continue to be the third leading cause of mortality after cardiovascular disease and road traffic accidents.
They account for 15 per cent of all deaths in Abu Dhabi. And among women alone, cancers are the second biggest killers after cardiovascular disease.
The most common cancers continue to be breast cancer, colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon and rectum) and cervical cancer.
“Although cancers present themselves in different forms, the preventative measures are still the same: leading healthy lifestyles, maintaining a balanced diet and undertaking regular exercise,” Dr Jalaa said.
“In addition, women must conduct regular screenings to detect cervical cancer, and mammograms to diagnose breast cancer, at an early stage. Only then are the available treatments effective in saving lives,” she added.
Awareness campaigns in recent years have made much progress in creating community mindfulness of the diseases. In 2007, 65 per cent of breast cancer cases were diagnosed in the later stages, compared to 25 per cent diagnosed late in 2011.
“Many more patients can be saved each year if their cancers are detected early. This is why we continue to encourage people to screen themselves,” said Dr Omniyat Al Hajeri, director of public health and policy at the HAAD.
Additional centres and mobile units to conduct mammograms and reach out to residents are still required in Al Ain and Al Gharbia, Dr Omniyat said. She added that the HAAD was working to ensure that mobile units continued to provide mammograms in the emirate all year round.
As part of the HAAD cancer awareness campaign, various community outreach activities, including walkathons, fashion shows and informative seminars will also be organised in 2012 and 2013. While October will focus on breast cancer awareness, January 2013 will see activities geared towards the awareness of cervical cancer. In March 2013, the HAAD will focus on combating colorectal cancer.
