When it comes to breast cancer, statistics speak for themselves: One in eight women will contract breast cancer during their life, and survival rates have improved every year since 1989, with the greatest success in the under-50 age group. And while there is much work to do yet in the fight against breast cancer, the good news is that more and more women are aware of the disease and are taking steps to screen and monitor for the disease on a regular basis.
Every October, breast cancer rises to the fore as part of an intensive public awareness campaign. Public education programmes advising regular mammograms, particularly for the over-35 age group are essential. And so too are regular self-examination checks that allow women to notice any changes that may need urgent medical examination.
Health officials across the UAE have organised a series of events and workshops, along with check-up and screening programmes to further raise awareness. And let’s not forget the ceaseless work of volunteers and survivors who have brought the disease into focus. Together, they are making a real difference.
