British Orchard Mothers educated on cervical cancer risk

The Nursery chain in collaboration with Lifeline Hospital takes the cause seriously; committed to raise awareness on women-centric health concerns

• The awareness session was part of the Nursery’s ongoing complimentary Coffee Morning series event aiming to address a mother’s well-being among other issues
• Focus on causes, symptoms and preventive measures of cervical cancer; stress on regular screening and HPV vaccination
• Cervical Cancer the second-most diagnosed form of cancer in the women in UAE; 100 cases diagnosed each year; 30 resulting in death
• HPV vaccination can prevent 70% of cervical cancer cases

Dubai, UAE, January 31, 2016:  With focus on improving the status of women’s health in the UAE, the British Orchard Nursery, UAE’s largest chain of pre-schools, teamed up with Lifeline Hospital to organise awareness event on cervical cancer. The event included an interactive session with doctors and staff at Lifeline Hospital who educated mothers on cervical cancer risk, and discussed protective and preventive measures in detail. The session was part of the complementary ‘Coffee Morning’ series, British Orchard Nursery’s ongoing calendar event that aims to address concerns that directly or indirectly affect children’s well-being with active involvement of both parents and children. 

Discussing the causes behind cervical cancer, doctors particularly focused on human papillomavirus or HPV, a common infection that spreads through sexual activity and mostly affects women under 25 years. HPV is responsible for 99 per cent of cervical cancer cases, but can be defeated through vaccination which can prevent 70 per cent of cases. Attendees also learned about the symptoms of the cancer, which include abnormal vaginal bleeding and discharge and pain in the lower belly or pelvis. 

As per news reports, cervical cancer is the second-most diagnosed form of cancer in the women in UAE with about 100 cases diagnosed each year. Out of these almost 30 cases are reported as fatal. Globally, the cancer is the fourth most-common among women, with more than 50 percent dying from it. Most cases, however, can be treated successfully if in early stages, which is why doctors stressed the need for preventive measures, such as regular screening and HPV vaccination shots.

Vandana Gandhi, Founder and CEO of British Orchard Nursery said: “A happy mother makes a happy home, which is so crucial in the upbringing of a child. And to be happy, a mother needs to remain healthy and fit so that she can focus wholeheartedly on her family’s needs. At British Orchard Nursery, we understand the huge significance of a mother’s role in building a strong society, and awareness about her well-being is one of the main aims of our Coffee Morning event. With January being Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, we believe this was the right opportunity to teach mothers about a disease that can be a cause of great pain and unhappiness to both a woman and her family if not addressed on time”.

The principal of British Orchard Nursery, Mankhool Branch, added: “Despite the number of cases reported every year, it is surprising how little women know about cervical cancer and its prevention. And because we care for the parents as much as we do for the children studying in our nurseries, we felt the awareness campaign was the need of the hour. With this exercise, we aim to highlight many other health issues that will help mothers take their well-being more seriously”.