Cancer News UAE

Sept 18, 2007
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Rashid Hospital statistics in Dubai show that 9,621 people in Dubai suffered from breast cancer between 2002-2006.
Life goes on...
Abdullah Al Alami



Battle Against Breast Cancer: Let’s Beat The Big C
Image for Battle Against Breast Cancer: Let’s Beat The Big C
Will to live: Rachel Ewer, a breast cancer survivor, with her daughter, places a ribbon on the Pledge Wall at Bur Juman Centre

Being an aerobics teacher and an avid dancer, Rachel Ewer, 36, didn’t expect to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Doctors were also taken aback that somebody as young as her (she was 32 then) could suffer from the disease. After a year-long therapy, Rachel won the battle.
Today, she is a supporter of Bur Juman’s "Safe and Sound" Breast Cancer Awareness Programme, which is celebrating its 10 anniversary this week.
"This campaign is important because we cannot turn a blind eye to a disease that kills unless detected early on," said Ewer.

"The problem is that people think it will not happen to them or anyone they know. But one in nine women gets breast cancer at some point in their life so one cannot overlook the disease."

Ewer said she ignored a lump she detected for months. "When I finally gathered the courage to get it diagnosed, it was because the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes."

Rashid Hospital statistics show that 9,621 people in Dubai suffered from breast cancer between 2002-2006.! But this could be just the tip of the iceberg. "The one thing lacking is comprehensive statistics," said Sabina Khandwani, head of public relations and marketing at Bur Juman. Until such time, Khandwani said that creating a multi-layered plan to tackle the disease is important.

Susan Tabler, a breast cancer survivor and member of the programme’s steering committee, said: "Our aim is to provide information about treatment facilities and provide transportation facilities for women because the only radiation centre in the UAE is in Al Ain and women find it difficult to go there for daily radiations."

Sharla Musabih, social worker and committee member said, "Due to cultural factors, women in this region don’t! talk about it and many don’t understand it. A campaign like this puts breast cancer at the forefront."

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