Campaigns such as the recent Walkathon testify to increasing awareness in UAE

The recent breast cancer Pink Walkathon, which attracted thousands of participants, attests to the success of the increasing number of awareness campaigns. Engaging more people to know about breast cancer and how best to treat it should become a nationwide campaign that involves everyone.

As more organisations became involved in these awareness efforts over the years, bringing the issue to the wider public has witnessed significant progress. This is facilitated through the intensified official involvement and that of non-profit entities. Health authorities have announced the offering of free health check-ups for women above the age of 35. In addition, health departments within each emirate have also joined forces to send out a unified message on the problem.

Yet what is really needed is having an awareness level that extends to all women in the UAE. This is being said for the very fact that discussion of any matter relating to breast cancer was more or less a taboo in the local community and was channelled only within the confines of doctor-patient relationship.

Now it is critical that all members of society become educated, as the consequences of having breast cancer go beyond just the patient concerned.