Abu Dhabi: A new Guinness World Record has been smashed for the largest self-examination for breast cancer in the capital, Zayed University has announced.
VPS Healthcare, an integrated health-care solution provider with a network of hospitals and chain of clinics, has achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous self-examination for breast cancer with around 971 women participating at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
The attempt was made to raise awareness and provide knowledge about breast cancer.
“Women are an integral part of our community and play an important role in the maintenance of both family and society. The one-day event witnessed a great and active participation from women of different nationalities,” Vinay Batra, CEO of diagnostic services at VPS Healthcare, told Gulf News.
“It is our first time to participate in a Guinness World Record attempt; however, we keep creating educational campaigns and awareness initiatives about breast cancer all across the UAE. We also have our mobile mammography unit, which was established almost four years ago and it is still running all across the UAE. It has witnessed an overwhelming participation and response from women,” he added.
According to the UAE Ministry of Health, breast cancer is the third leading cause of death in the UAE and it accounts for nearly 500 deaths annually.
In the UAE, many cases are discovered in the advanced stages, compared with Western countries where the disease is typically discovered in earlier, more treatable stages.
The most common symptoms of breast cancer are the presence of lumps in the breast.
“There are four stages of breast cancer and detection in the early stages vastly increases the chances of survival compared to detection in stage four,” Dr Eshrak Al Attar, from LLH Hospital in the capital, said.
The medical provider smashed the previous record, which was held by the Amazons Association in Warsaw, Poland on September 8, 2012 and consisted of 380 participating women.
“It was impressive to see the enthusiasm of so many women eager to participate in something exciting, but also incredibly important,” Batra said.
The event, which was held under the patronage of Shaikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development and President of Zayed University, witnessed education sessions by leading health-care experts.
“I am delighted to be part of such an event, which made a great achievement. It was an engaging experience for me. It is significant to conduct breast cancer self-examination and spread knowledge to others, as many women have never been taught how to check for lumps,” a 23-year-old student at Zayed University, told Gulf News.
Various corporate and women welfare organisations participated at the event to raise awareness and make available education on how to best keep healthy.
