Detect to Protect: SEHA Launches Educational Campaign for Breast Cancer

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, SEHA’s facilities will host a series of informational webinars for entities and community groups and provide free mammogram screening for existent patients

Abu Dhabi, October 04, 2020:  Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), the largest healthcare network in the UAE, and its facilities are hosting educational webinars and providing free mammogram screenings for existing female patients above 40 in line with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed annually during the month of October.

Breast cancer occurs when select cells begin to grow abnormally, dividing more rapidly than healthy cells do and accumulating into a lump or mass. Cells may then spread through the breast to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Factors that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer increases with age, family history of breast cancer, inherited genes that increase cancer risk, and obesity.  

Dr Nahed Balalaa Consultant - General Surgery, Chair of Outpatient Department, SSMC, said: “Conditions like breast cancer that aren’t a direct result of risk factors and with masked symptoms, are more commonly diagnosed late and the later they are detected, the harder they are to treat. This year, we are committed to strengthening our educational program for the community with a key focus on spreading awareness on the importance of regular self-checks, mammogram screenings and understanding the symptoms. The more diligent we are with screenings, the more likely we are to diagnose the condition early and successfully treat it.” 

SEHA physicians are encouraging the community to adopt simple techniques to minimize the risk of developing breast cancer, including having open conversations with their primary care physicians on when to begin breast cancer screening tests, learning how to complete the self-exam and identify abnormalities like lumps, exercising for at least 30 minutes,  five days a week, and maintaining a healthy weight and consuming a balanced diet.

“The key to early detection of breast cancer early is conducting regular self-checks and annual mammogram screenings. Discuss your personal and family medical history with your healthcare provider to determine your chances of breast cancer, always being on the look-out for changes in symmetry, size, skin tone and texture, discharge, tenderness or pain, and females who are 40 and above should undergo a regular  mammogram screening every two years and prior to that according to the patients’ conditions and strong family history,” continued Dr. Nahed.

In efforts to educate the community and increase awareness of risk factors and prevention techniques, SEHA facilities, including Ambulatory Health Clinics, Tawam Hospital, hospitals in Al Dhafra region and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, will be conducting online webinars with entities and community groups to provide their existing patients, aged over 40, with free mammogram screenings. In addition, Tawam Hospital will conduct home visits with a mobile mammogram truck.