Breast Cancer Late Detection Drops from 65 Per Cent in 2007 to 16 Per Cent in 2012

Abu Dhabi - October 7, 2013: Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the regulating body of the healthcare sector of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, announced today that percentage of late breast cancer detection has dropped from 65 per cent in 2007 to 16 per cent in 2012.

There were 54 deaths attributed to breast cancer in the emirate last year. It is worth noting that mortality among locals decreased by 55 per cent to 5.6 per 100,000 women in 2012.

Dr. Omniyat AL Hajri, Director of Public Health and Research at HAAD said: “The drop in late detection of breast cancer percentage in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is a great achievement. This would have not been possible without the support of Abu Dhabi government and the all our partners. We are keen on maintaining the rate, similar to figures reported by developed countries such as the US and the UK.”

Breast cancer, the development of cancerous tumors from breast cells, is the most common form of cancer in Abu Dhabi. The condition accounted for 22 per cent of new cancer cases reported in 2012, and 41 per cent of cancer cases detected among women.

As part of its efforts to intensify the fight against breast cancer, HAAD launched earlier this month its annual Cancer Wave Health Promotion Program. Held under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, HAAD officially launched today its annual Cancer Wave Health Promotion Program “Live Healthy and Simply Check,” in partnership with Abu Dhabi Health Services Company “SEHA”. The six-month program starts on October 2013 and will run through March 2014. It will cover three other cancers – colorectal, lung, and cervical.

“Women play vital roles in society. They are mothers, educators, workers, leaders and motivators. They thus deserve our best efforts to ensure their good health and safety. Through our campaign we aim to educate the public on important facts and figures as well as the causes, detection and treatment of breast cancer and encourage them to adapt habits that benefit not only those afflicted with the condition but their families and caregivers as well. We will particularly emphasize the importance of periodic screening in catching this cancer at the early stages as it is very treatable at onset,” said Dr. Jalaa Taher, Manager of non-communicable Diseases Department, Health Authority – Abu Dhabi.

To book screenings and mammograms, HAAD created a special booking tool on its cancer awareness website www.haad.ae/simplycheck. The tool provides a database of healthcare facilities in the Emirate with various screening options (mammogram, Pap test, and colonoscopy).

Other activities to be held under the HAAD cancer awareness program are discounted or free cancer screenings; the distribution of brochures, booklets, infographs and other informative materials; healthcare practitioner and employee seminars and trainings; and special events to be undertaken in coordination with program partners. HAAD made all information available on its Facebook page Cancer Wave Facebook Page

The 2013 – 2014 Cancer Wave Health Promotion Program is organized by HAAD and sponsored by SEHA, Glaxo Smith Kline, TAWAM Hospital and LIFE LINE Hospital; MSD, ROCHE and GHANTOOT Racing & Polo Club; and MEDIAN.