Dubai: After heart disease and traffic accidents, cancer is the third leading cause of death in the UAE and unfortunately, cancer cases are increasing, doctors warn.

A study done by the Dubai-based Centre for Arab Genomic Studies showed a huge increase in cancers over the past 30 years.

“The reasons are not clear why some of the cancers are increasing, but generally, it is multi-factoral,” said Dr Shaheena Dawood, senior oncologist at Dubai Hospital,

The most common cancers in the UAE are breast, cervical, prostate, lung cancers. “Surprisingly, we are getting a number of thyroid cancer cases too,” she said.

The study by the Arab Genomic Centre notes that breast cancer in the UAE occurs 10 years earlier than the world average. “Many women are hesitant to get medical help because of social taboos,” and that is one reason for the severe statistics.

In 2006, the Ministry of Health, worried over the growing figures, set up the Higher National Committee for Breast Cancer Control. Dr Shaheena concurs that more younger women are getting breast cancer, but notes that it is a young population in the UAE yet and it is difficult to conclude that younger women are falling prey to the disease without proper statistics.

The study goes on to say that lymphoma, a blood cancer, accounts for about two-thirds of childhood malignancies. It occurs among children born out of cousin marriage.

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) statistics show that prostate cancer is the second common cancer among Emiratis.

Early detection and prevention, according to them, has made cancer “no longer a death sentence”. Today, cancer-afflicted are living longer due education efforts and raising awareness levels.

Cancer first reared its head in the UAE in 1981 when Al Qassimi Hospital in Sharjah released a report about five cases of cancer among 209 patients with liver diseases.

Twenty years later, the DHA reported that it discovered 1,379 cancer cases between 2004 and 2007.

It is important, Dr Shaheena said, that anyone with a symptom should go to a physician. “Everyone should have a GP (general practitioner) that can schedule a screening and do a general check-up.”

An exact determining of the cause of cancer is yet an inexact science, according to her. “It is not just lack of activity. It is a mix of environmental factors and genetic factors,” Dr Shaheen said.

Everyone, whether healthy or not, should get a yearly check-up done,” Dr Shaheena. “There are no stupid questions or stupid symptoms when it comes to cancer. The doctor is there to reassure you if there is something or not. The earlier the cancer is caught, the more likely it will be cured.”

She recommends that women over the age of 40 be screened annually and get a yearly mammogram.

Women in the age bracket of 25 to 40 years should get a physical every year, or at least once every three years. “Those with a strong family history should visit the GP for a scheduled examaination and early screening.

“There are no hard and fast rules as to when screening should be done for prostate, colon or cervical cancers. “Check with your doctor,” she advises.

Also, it is a myth that physicians are over-investigating cancer thanks to the ongoing debate in international medical field regarding the downsides of exposure to CT scan radiation. “At least, we do not do that,” said Dr Shaheena. We only request scans when needed.“

It is also a myth, she said, that everyone with cancer needs chemotherapy. “It depends on the malignancy, the type and stage of cancer.” Some cancers require surgery, others only require radiation, she said.

The future for cancer management and treatment is promising, she said. “New drugs are being discovered all the time, that are improving the outcome for cancer patients and benefiting them at multiple levels.”