Dubai Health Authority discusses early detection of breast cancer during smart clinic.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 29, 2015: DHA experts advocated the importance of early detection in the battle against breast cancer during the weekly #smart_clinic.

Information was disseminated through the Authority’s Twitter page( @DHA_Dubai) Instagram account and via Periscope.

Dr Shamsa Abdulla Bin Hammad, head of DHA's community health services programme, said: “Globally every 1.7 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. It is estimated that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. This highlights the magnitude of the problem. Healthy lifestyle choices and early detection are absolutely vital to tackle the disease.

“With advances in science there are high changes of curing the disease with minimum invasion through early detection.  In fact, if breast cancer is detected early on, the survival rate is 98 per cent, however if the disease is detected in the advanced stage, survival is only 27 per cent.”

Dr Zaid Abdulaziz Al Mazim, consultant general surgeon at Dubai Hospital highlighted that early treatment is the best way to preserve breasts, battle the cancer and is also helpful for those women who need partial or total breast reconstruction as early diagnosis gives plastic surgeons several clinical options to preserve the natural shape and function of the breasts.

Dr Bin Hammad said that the first mammogram should take place at 40 years of age and every year thereafter. “Those with a family history of breast cancer should begin screening earlier. If a woman has a first degree relative with breast cancer, she should opt for yearly mammogram screening 10 years before the age of her relative’s diagnosis. However she should start regular clinical breast exam and self-exams earlier.”

Dr Suad Hashim, community family physician and head of clinical prevention and health promotion unit at primary healthcare centre, said: “ DHA primary healthcare centres including Al Barsha, Nad Al Hamar and Al Mizhar offer mammogram screenings and women visiting any of the 13 DHA PHC’s can book a mammogram screening at these centres.”