Early detection is the key to fighting breast cancer — a disease whose presence is expected to double in the UAE by 2015. Already, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, accounting for nearly one in five cases. Despite its prevalence, only 30 per cent of cases are caught in the early stages. And the longer a cancer goes undetected, the harder it is for doctors to tackle it and for patients to survive.
Public awareness campaigns are doing a good job in highlighting the need for screening through techniques such as regular self-examinations and annual mammograms. But not only is early detection essential for patients, it also drastically reduces the cost for the health system and medical insurers.
The issue for many women living in the UAE is that examinations are not fully covered by insurance policies or, indeed, patients may not have adequate insurance coverage. Organisations and government bodies have gone to great lengths to promote breast cancer awareness and individuals and groups have made heroic efforts to raise funds for research to find a cure. Yesterday, at Meydan Racecourse, volunteers tried to form the world's longest human ribbon to raise funds and highlight the fight against breast cancer. In addition, clinics and hospitals are opening their doors and reducing costs in an effort to get more women screened more regularly at reduced rates. The cost of a routine mammogram is regularly between Dh500 and Dh800. It's a cost that needs to be lowered for those who cannot afford it once a year. The fight against breast cancer needs to be addressed through lower mammogram fees, greater awareness and an effort by insurance companies to provide annual testing as a standing policy element.
As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of medication.
