Thousands walk in Dubai to raise awareness of breast cancer

Dubai: More than 5,000 residents took part in the 3.6km BurJuman Pink Walkathon on Friday in a bid to raise awareness against breast cancer.

The atmosphere was electrifying -- people from all walks of life, age groups and nationalities, including babies, toddlers and even pet dogs with pink sashes, took part in the fifth annual fundraising event.

The beats of African drums kept them on their toes as they danced and sang all the way, sporting pink and white attires and pink caps.

Many walked in honour of their loved ones who had lost the battle against the disease. They were seen wearing T-shirts with tributes such as, ‘For you, Granny'.

“My mother died of breast cancer six years ago. My eldest son was two at that time. She hasn't met my other children. This is in her honour and is our way of supporting women fighting this disease,'' said Kat Holt, 40, a British expatriate, who took part in the event with her husband and three boys.

Joanna Chucleigh-Lyle, another participant, said: “Both my grandmothers have breast cancers. One also has lung cancer. My family is walking for them. Dubai is making headway, but we still have a long way to go.''

Although there weren't many men, some joined the group to support their wives and help create awareness.

“Ten years ago, you couldn't even have ‘breast surgeon' written on your visiting card. But today, things in the UAE have drastically changed,'' said Jane Knight, 40, a Scottish expatriate living in Dubai for the past 20 years.

As the walkathon came to an end, people shouted slogans like: “Stand up against the fight.''

Survivors

Jane Northbote, 46, British expatriate
Jane Northbote was all in pink: Pink and white dress, pink nail polish, pink lipstick…She shared her story:

I was diagnosed [with breast cancer] in March 2007 when I was 44. I was full of shock and horror and very scared.

Life completely changes. When you meet up with friends for coffee you don't listen. You feel they are in a different world... and you are not in that world anymore because you may die. You are young and afraid of dying.

I had a lumpectomy. Then I went through seven weeks of radiology and five-and-a-half months of chemotherapy.

One of the worst things is the after-effect of chemo. I had long dark curly hair like my daughter but I had to wear a wig.

There were no facilities for radiotherapy in Dubai then. I had to travel to Abu Dhabi.

What [actually] happens is that you get better with chemo but you look worse. You lose eyebrows, lashes, hair and put on weight with the steroids.

Chemo puts you in menopause. Now I am in early menopause.

However, what really helped me was my family support. My daughters, who were 14 and 10 years at that time, were very helpful.

My eldest one withdrew because she was aware of the disease and got frightened. My younger one would say: “Mummy you look great and hug me.''

I was always a person who looked at the moon and the flowers but I now tell my husband don't worry about small things.

I joined a support group and we meet every month for tea and a chat.

After treatment everyone thinks it's over but it never is.

I don't have the freedom I had before because it's always at the back of your mind that there might be a relapse.

So now, I make sure that I enjoy life. I won't worry about little things as they really don't matter.

Lilian Coyle, 44, Indian expatriate
Five years ago Lilian Coyle saw a board in BurJuman about breast cancer and she thought: “This is not for me.''

That month itself she did a self-check and found a lump. Coyle, a survivor today, and a mother of two girls aged eight and 14, shared her story:

I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a sonography and the doctor told me: “Let's get the lump removed.''

But I had a family wedding to attend so I put it off for 15 days.

I got my treatment done after that and thought it was over.

I was called two days later and told to go in for an operation within the next 24 hours. In fact, I had to get a mastectomy done for one of my breasts. It was followed by radiotherapy.

As women, we tend not to give ourselves the priority. I shouldn't have waited a day. I realised if I take care of myself only then can I take care of my family.

Women must self-examine themselves and opt for mammograms.

I've realised life is too precious.