Breast cancer awareness: How to make sure you’re not 1 in 8

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world for women, and in the UAE, it’s the second biggest killer of females after cardiovascular disease according to health figures. It’s often quoted that the chances of having breast cancer are one in eight – and yet what we don’t focus on is that if breast cancer is detected early, the survival rate is 98 per cent.

Dr Nada Altabara, a gynecology and obstetrics specialist at the Wellbeing Medical Centre, Dubai, says that despite incredible campaigns during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a lot of women still don’t prioritise their health. (www.wellbeingmedicalcentre.com)

“According to government figures, only 30 per cent of cases in the UAE are diagnosed in the early stages when a chance of a cure is higher,” she explains. “This is much lower than in western countries. There’s still a high percentage of women who do not come for regular check-ups because they’re too busy. They forget to look after themselves.”

There is also a stigma in conservative local communities about women checking themselves. The good news is things are changing and Dr Nada agrees that awareness about breast cancer here has really advanced. “About 10 years ago, breast cancer was a cultural stigma in the Middle East because women didn’t talk about the disease,” Dr Nada says. “They went to see a doctor in the late stages so they didn’t benefit from early detection. Today, it’s changing.

“The government encourages families to proactively take charge of their health, helping to increase understanding and empower women in the fight against breast cancer.”

The Pink Caravan, a breast cancer awareness campaign, started in 2011 by Friends of Cancer Patients, a UAE charitable organisation, aims to encourage both women and men to self-examine and go for regular check-ups. Its annual Pink Caravan ride sees more than 150 horse riders over 11 days travelling with a mobile screening unit across cities and remote regions, bringing together schools, universities and corporations. Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, Secretary General for the Friends of Cancer Patients charity and Head of the Pink Caravan’s Medical and Awareness Committee, says the mission of the campaign is to unite UAE breast cancer awareness efforts.

“Pink Caravan provides free screenings to all women and men across the UAE. Since its launch, it has screened 28,091 people and created unprecedented awareness about the need for the early detection of breast cancer,” she explains. “The Pink Caravan is launching Phase II of its mission; to purchase and operate the first state-of-the-art mobile mammography unit; the CareVan, to make breast cancer screenings more accessible in the country.”

Cases of breast cancer are on the rise all across the world, and in the UAE it’s been reported that since 2009, figures have risen by 20 per cent. But it’s important to note that it could simply be a result of improvements in reporting cases. The UAE does not have a cancer registry so it’s impossible to tell the reason behind the figures.

Women over the age 40 can get a free mammogram in breast cancer month every two years but Dr Nada advises all women aged 20 and older to start self-examining every month, a few days after their period ends.

“There are normally no symptoms of early breast cancer, though as it grows it can form a lump that can be felt in the breast tissue,” she says. “It can also cause changes in the skin surrounding it, which may become coarse and wrinkled.”

The majority of lumps could be nothing to do with cancer, so it’s worth getting it checked out – living in denial won’t save lives.

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, maintaining a healthy body weight, breast feeding your children for as long as possible and remaining a non-smoker can reduce the risks. And recent studies by the University College London in the UK has revealed that going up a dress size can increase the risk of getting breast cancer by an incredible 33 per cent post menopause. Researches say fat tissue – specifically stomach fat – releases oestrogen, which triggers the development of tumours. They believe this type of fat releases more oestrogen than fat on upper arms, thighs and elsewhere. So it’s vital to keep your weight in check.

“Generally, beside screening and clinical breast examinations, I recommend a change of lifestyle and eating habits,” Dr Nada says.

“It’s important, especially for Arab women, to limit salt and to say no to fatty, fried or processed foods. You need to keep your body-mass index down, limit red meat and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.”

Dr Nada also actively encourages the intake of vitamin D – created by exposure to sunlight, it’s nature’s most potent cancer fighter. A report presented at the latest meeting of the America Association for Cancer Research showed a link between increased vitamin D intake and breast cancer risk. It found vitamin D lowered the risk of developing breast cancer by up to 50 per cent. In the UAE there is plenty of sunshine, but a lot of women are covered up, reducing their natural intake.

There are many groups in the UAE to support women before and after diagnosis. One Dubai-based breast cancer campaigner, Premi Mathews, is doing something different to get women to make a change.

She decided to harness the power of children. Premi set up Protect Your Mom (PYM) in 2011. Along with her husband, a doctor, she was horrified that women were dying because their cancer was caught too late.

“All the campaigns were absorbed in going ‘pink’ and I was annoyed that no one was really focusing on what was important – self-examination,” Premi says. “The reality is a lot of women don’t go to the doctor but being aware of changes in your breasts is a life saver.”

PYM (www.protectyourmom.asia) has taken the unusual route of getting kids as young as eight on board to encourage their mums to check for lumps. The campaign, which is completely unfunded, teams up with schools and has so far, reached 30,000 students. They now have 35 volunteer ambassadors working across five emirates, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The campaign has seen students raising funds to pay the bills of a chemotherapy patient, and an eight-year-old who won a PYM competition donate the prize to a cancer patient.

“Mums are usually too busy to check for lumps and early signs, even if they’re aware of the symptoms,’” Premi says. “I target kids because they’re good at pestering! Mums are more likely to listen to their children than a doctor, and as a result of the education they’re getting from talks and fundraising events, the kids are growing up to be better informed about cancer.”

American-born Regina Florence knows just how it feels to go into battle against the disease. In May 2003, she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31; a year after her mum’s own diagnosis.

Almost four years ago, primary school administrator Regina moved to Abu Dhabi and married her husband, Ahmad Fayed.

In 2013, she noticed a lump growing, which she had thought was scar tissue. It was in fact a cancerous lump on her right breast. “My mum had lost her battle with breast cancer just a few months earlier, so I knew I had to be aggressive with my treatment.”

Regina had chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and 17 rounds of Herceptin (HER2), a special breast cancer treatment, which finished in July this year.

During her treatment, she turned to a support group called Bosom Buddies. (bosombuddiesad.org). “Since I didn’t have any family here except my husband I knew I needed to be around other women who had been through the breast cancer journey,” Regina explains.

“My husband has been my rock, but I didn’t want to cause him more worries with my fears. I wanted to talk to someone who knew what I was going through.”

The Abu Dhabi breast cancer support group was founded in 2003 by a group of breast cancer survivors and she went along to one of their monthly meetings. “It was so refreshing to be part of a group of people who were just like me,” Regina says. “Being part of Bosom Buddies allows me to not worry about talking of breast cancer.”

Treatment has left Regina with fatigue, joint pain and weight gain but by maintaining a healthy diet and exercise plan, she feels better and is positive about the future. She is monitored closely and right now, the cancer is microscopic.

Dr Nada is pleased more is being done to raise awareness of breast cancer. “More companies, clinics and shopping centres are coming forward with campaigns to help spread the message of early detection.”

Breast Cancer Awareness month sees events that everyone can get involved in. The BurJuman Safe and Sound campaign has reached 27 million people since its launch in 1997. This month BurJuman, in partnership with uniCare, its medical partner, is giving away 10,000 free clinical check-ups and discounted mammograms. Its flagship event the BurJuman Pink Walkathon is held October 31 at Dubai’s Zabeel Park. (www.burjuman.com)

The Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club is holding its annual Pink Polo event on November 4. (www.pinkpolo.ae) and Breast Cancer Arabia (www.dubaigoespink.com) will have a campaign encouraging everyone to embrace pink to raise awareness.

The Warriors in Pink campaign run by Ford (www.warriorsinpink.ford.com) has invited breast cancer survivors to showcase their new 2014 Warriors in Pink clothing collection to help raise awareness for the cause.

However you get involved, raising money for research and treatment is vital, but so is education. The World Health Organisation predicts that unless changes are made, cases of cancer are set to double by 2030.

“The traditional role of women in the UAE is to nurture and take care of the family,” Regina says. “So the mother’s health is generally neglected or delayed because she is ensuring her family is healthy first.

“We need to continue to provide accurate information about women who are living with breast cancer, and the importance of early detection and treatments.

“I’m proof that breast cancer doesn’t need to mean a death sentence.”