UAE national health insurance company, Daman, has announced plans to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month by offering complimentary mammograms for the women of Abu Dhabi. 

Staffed by a certified team of doctors and medical professionals, a Daman-sponsored mobile mammography van will travel across the Emirate with plans to target Abu Dhabi city, a statement from the company said.

The tests will be conducted at Al Wahda Mall from October 13 to15, Al Ain on October 16 at Alain Mall, and Madinat Zayed (Western Region) on October 17 at City Mall.

The free screening will be conducted from 3pm to 8pm and will be extended if more women are interested to undergo the process, the statement said.

Current statistics show that over 1 million cases of breast cancer are reported globally every year, with approximately 50 to 60 cases reported per 100,000 people in the UAE. All women over the age of 35 are encouraged to undergo annual or biannual mammograms in order to facilitate early detection and prevention of the disease.

Chief medical officer of Daman, Dr Jad Aoun said: “In our experience, most women postpone mammograms for two main reasons: hectic schedules and lack of awareness. Daman’s mobile unit addresses both of these issues.”

“Mammograms are the most effective way to detect the disease in its early stages. We want to reach out to as many women as possible over the course of this five day campaign,” he said.

According to participating doctors and medical technicians, the campaign has been designed with efficiency and convenience in mind.

After registering and taking a screening number, participants will undergo a mammogram test which takes around 15 minutes. Test results will be reviewed independently and later communicated to participants by Daman. Results will be kept confidential, the statement said.

This campaign comes as part of Daman’s ongoing commitment to promoting health and wellbeing across the UAE. – TradeArabia News Service