UAE | Health
Some were reluctant to learn how to do self-examination
Most Emirati women were reluctant to learn how to conduct breast self-examinations, an important step in detecting breast cancer early, say staff onboard the Pink Bus.
- Breast awareness... Check the general appearance, size and shape of the breasts using a mirror.
- Image Credit: Gulf News
Dubai: Most Emirati women were reluctant to learn how to conduct breast self-examinations, an important step in detecting breast cancer early, say staff onboard the Pink Bus.
The Pink Bus, a joint initiative between the Ministry of Health, Welcare Hospital and Procter and Gamble, began touring the UAE from October 9, stopping at supermarkets, malls, schools and parks to spread awareness and teach women how to protect themselves. The tour will end on November 4.
UAE women seemed embarrassed about examining their breasts said Dr Ottmar Schmidt, marketing manager at Welcare World, which provided the medical staff who did the health education on board the bus.
"Emirati women were only happy to receive the information next to the bus; they were not interested in boarding the bus to be examined," he added.
He also said a few women were not interested to discuss breast cancer when nurses and activists on board the bus tried to approach them.
Another interesting finding was men's interest in learning more about the disease. Dr Schmidt said they were interested because their mother or partner has had breast cancer, while others wanted to be educated in case someone they loved developed it.
Share this article
Popular in UAE

-
Have your say
Living in untidy homes
Do you think that people who live in untidy homes have bad character?
Latest news
- Napolitano warns against anti-Muslim backlash
- Fog sweeps the UAE
- Emirati students in US set to rise
- No friends of mother Earth
- Tussle on for tertiary students
- Faded parking lines pose a problem
- UAE to announce H1N1 vaccination campaign
- Focus on best methods of crime investigation
- Benefits of pill-sized camera displayed
- Prosecutions need to adopt new technologies
- Big decline in robberies in Dubai
- Ministry to shut down typing centres
- Car stickers to identify new drivers on road
- So what will it take to float Gulf News' boat?
- Arab world's future is with solar energy
Community Reports
-
Faded parking lines pose a problem
Motorists could be fined for parking incorrectly even though they can hardly see the boundaries in the designated areas
-
School buses block residential parking
Commercial vehicles taking up free parking facilities in Al Wuheida, inconveniencing residents in surrounding villas
-
Community report: Doing their bit for poor children
A group of students takes concrete action to raise funds for Dubai Cares
-
Surprising truth of 'abandoned cars'
An Abu Dhabi resident believes that some mechanics are using parking spaces as rent-free workshops


