Holistic care for UAE cancer patients

The Emirates Association for Cancer Support (EACS) aims to increase awareness through campaigns and unite the efforts of government, academia, civil society and the private sector.

DUBAI// The Emirates Association for Cancer Support (EACS) was established in 2013 to provide morale, financial and medical assistance, as well as holistic care for cancer patients, their parents and families, especially those with critical needs.
It also aims to increase awareness through campaigns and unite the efforts of government, academia, civil society and the private sector.
At the recent breast cancer survivors symposium, Dr Afra Al Murri, EACS director, said patients' experiences should be assessed on a case-to-case basis.
"The symposium provided a great platform for survivors to interact and learn from each other's experience, while being helped by experts to cope with the challenges.
"Currently, support is provided by hospitals, such as Tawam Hospital, organisations such as Friends of Cancer Patients, and hopefully soon by the Emirates Association for Cancer Support.
"Over the years, we have recognised that the process of being diagnosed with breast cancer, treatment and ultimate cure can take patients and their families through extreme experiences, often traumatic; and they often require support and guidance to get back to normal life."
The symposium, a first in the UAE, introduced breast cancer survivors to the survivorship care plan - how to manage challenges and promote well-being through psychological and occupational therapy.
It also discussed ways to improve coordination between hospitals and insurance companies to speed up access to treatment.
"With the current advances in breast cancer treatment, more and more women are surviving and overcoming the disease," said Dr Mohamed Fahim Al Bashir, division chief surgery-general at Tawam Hospital.
"It is time now that we focus on the issues that they face and help them to resume their normal lives."
While often caused by less severe conditions, a breast lump, pain and tenderness are often the things most associated with breast cancer.
Other symptoms include nipple discharge or retraction of the nipple, enlargement of one breast, dimpling of the breast surface and an orange-peel texture to the skin.
Unintentional weight loss, enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit or visible veins on the breast can also be indicators.
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