Massive drive against cancer

The Ministry of Health is offering free medical check-up as part of its campaign to raise awareness that lives can be saved if breast cancer is detected at its early stages. Thousands of medical professionals have been deployed across the country since yesterday to promote the message that recovery from breast cancer is very high if detected in the early stages. Breast screening centres are set up in all emirates and a brochure reminds women: "Remember, it is free, no hassle, no health card needed." Dr Mahmoud Fikri, Assistant Undersecretary of Health Policies Affairs at the Ministry of Health, said a mammogram is only needed for women over 40 years. He said smoking, inactivity, obesity, diabetes are all risk factors for this non-communicable disease. The awareness campaigns start across the UAE today and will spread for weeks at schools, malls and offices. Extended campaign Fikri said that instead of just spending a day to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Day, the ministry spread the campaign over four weeks. Primary health care centres will be decked in pink to mark the month and school children will be made aware of this disease. This year's events are given special importance due to the fact that breast cancer is one of the most common disease and has an adverse impact on women's lives, Al Fikri said. But there is good news he said. While it is the main causes of death among women in the UAE, studies show that early screening and early treatment are successful in halting the disease 95 per cent of the time. Some of the public places in Dubai taking part in the awareness campaign are: Mirdiff City Centre, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall and Al Ittihad Union Cooperative. A similar event will also be held at Ajman City Centre while students will participate in a walkathon in Umm Al Quwain. "We are making sure that women have easy access to knowledge," Al Fikri said. A book in Braille has also been published to help educate those who are visually impaired. Several hospitals are offering a half-price discount for mammograms during the month.