UAE-based Tawam Hospital, in affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine, performed over 2,300 mammograms in 2011 as part of its breast cancer awareness campaign.

More than 1,900 mammograms performed by its Mobile Mammography unit, including over 400 screenings during October, the International Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the hospital said in a statement.

From the screening programs conducted by Tawam’s dedicated Breast Care Centre in 2011, a total of 133 new breast cancer diagnoses were confirmed; 3.16 per cent of those screened.

Dr Mohamed Al Bashir, consultant surgeon and director of Breast Care Centre said: “Every woman is a mother, a daughter, a sister or just a friend; being diagnosed with breast cancer can be a devastating experience for her and her loved ones.

“But, what every woman needs to know is, early detection can save lives. With 35 per cent of cancer cases occurring in women aged 40 years and over in the UAE, Tawam Hospital has taken an initiative to ensure that every woman, above the age of 40, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, has access to a mammogram and our Breast Care Centre.”

He added: “As a result of Tawam’s extensive awareness campaign, a growing number of cases are detected early enough to allow for effective treatment. Early screening, diagnosis and management of the disease offer better chances of survival. Detection through routine mammograms and self-breast exams, together with improved treatments, has resulted in an astounding increase in survival rates.”

The Breast Care Centre, opened in November 2007, is a fully equipped state-of-the-art screening and diagnostic center that provides the UAE national and expatriate communities with services, consultation and advice with an emphasis on early detection, diagnosis and treatment.

“A mammogram screening on the mobile mammography unit by a healthcare professional takes less than 30 minutes, and detects breast cancer at its earliest stage when it is most curable,” Dr Al Bashir said.

“The mobile units are designed to reach women whom prior to the introduction of these mobile facilities were especially vulnerable to the disease as their remote geographical location hindered awareness and screening,” he added.

According to the Abu Dhabi Community Profile findings, prepared by the global initiative for Breast Cancer Awareness Team at the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD), breast cancer is the second highest cause of death for all female deaths in the UAE, accounting for 28 per cent of deaths in women.

Abu Dhabi Public Health Services Company (Seha) recommends women 40 years and older to undergo mammograms every two years, and the hospital recommends monthly self-examination for all women.

“The number of women that have been screened so far in 2012 is a source of pride to us all at Tawam Hospital. We are also very pleased at the increase in general awareness in our community, which is the result of ongoing educational programmes initiated by the hospital,” Dr Al Bashir said.

“Thousands of people have been exposed to Tawam’s message and this year, Tawam Hospital will kick off its campaign soon under the theme ‘Detect it early, defeat it and go on’. The Tawam family has been preparing for the campaign tirelessly, building up to the International Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2012 this coming October in a variety of community settings, including academic, workplace and recreational events,” concluded Dr Al Bashir. – TradeArabia News Service