I have asked several women during international breast cancer awareness month if they knew how to self-examine or whether they had had a mammogram screening. Very few of them answered positively. Some dismissed the idea altogether, saying that they were “too young” to worry about the risk of breast cancer.
These women are not outliers. A study published last month in the science journal Plos One found that there is a lack of knowledge about breast cancer and the importance of screening among women in the UAE. Only five per cent of those surveyed had a good general knowledge of the subject.
The survey found that almost half of women do not routinely check themselves. Why? Many of them have never been taught how to check for lumps and many of those who are aware of the correct procedures avoid checking their breasts for fear of what they might find.
Breast cancer is an issue that requires awareness and action. It is the leading type of cancer in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and accounts for 25 per cent of all cases, according to HAAD, the health authority of Abu Dhabi. Their statistics show that it is the second most common cause of death for women after cardiovascular disease.
This is why it is good to witness initiatives being led by the UAE health and education authorities and private establishments to highlight breast cancer awareness. They have begun to break the cultural taboo surrounding the issue, shedding light on it and fighting the stigma attached to the disease. Nowadays, screening services are available under health insurance and many facilities offer free checks.
However, like in other types of cancer, some people’s reluctance to get screened could result in late diagnosis. According to a report by the Centre for Arab Genomic Studies, in most cases UAE patients delay presenting themselves for treatment, with the majority presenting themselves six months after first noticing a lump.
Fifty per cent of the women diagnosed with breast cancer are below the age of 46. And doctors say that incidence of breast cancer in women under 40 years of age has been increasing in recent years, which is worrying because younger women are less likely to have a sustained response to treatment.
But my discussions showed me that there is lack of perception of risk among younger people, especially if they haven’t encountered cancer within their family or among their group of friends. This can lead to a false sense of security, doctors say, that stops the disease being detected in its early stages.
The sad reality is that the majority of women do not adhere to recommended screening guidelines even though they attend breast cancer awareness events and participate in pink ribbon activities.
The problem is part of a wider health issue that we seem to have in the UAE: the lack of culture of disease prevention despite the improving standards of health care we have in this country. This can be highlighted by the fact that not enough attention is paid to health screenings in general, and particularly those for cancer.
Fostering a culture of prevention is important to correct the perception of susceptibility to such diseases, which in turn will have a positive impact on women’s screening behaviours and regular check-ups.
When it comes to breast cancer, all women over 20 should realise the risks, know how to undertake a self-examination properly and do so at least once a month. This would help reduce the risk of breast cancer through early detection.
There are also other important regular screenings highly recommended for women that don’t get the required attention, including screening for cervical cancer, which is the second-most-commonly diagnosed form of cancer among women in this country.
We need a more comprehensive strategy to change the mindset when it comes to dealing with health issues. We need to focus on promoting the understanding of disease prevention and anticipating personal risks. Otherwise, all these efforts to “spread awareness” could have limited impact.
aalmazrouei@thenational.ae
Twitter: @AyeshaAlmazroui
