More men embrace breast cancer checks

More men embrace breast cancer checks Staff Reporter / 27 April 2013 More than double the number of men were screened for breast cancer during a screening campaign this year, compared to the year before. There were 1,029 men to undergo screening this year during Pink Caravan, the breast cancer awareness initiative by the Friends of Cancer Patients charitable organisation, when the travelling campaign took its mobile screening sites around the country in February. In 2012, just 476 men were screened. Friends of Cancer Patients secretary-general Dr Sawsan Al Madhi said the male statistics were a special point of interest. “We take this as clear evidence that the Pink Caravan has been making a real community-wide impact and are very pleased to see that we have been able to remove some of the stigma that has traditionally surrounded the disease.” A report released on the campaign showed 16,345 women and 5,450 men have been screened over the past three years — making a total of 21,795, the organisation said in a press release. The report also showed the number of Emiratis getting tested was now on par with the number of expatriate residents. While the total figures of screenings over the past three years are 7,623 Emiratis and 14,172 residents, this year there were more Emiratis screened than expatriates — figures showed 2,541 Emiratis and 2,479 expatriates opted to be screened. The organisation said the difference in numbers had gone from about three expatriates to every one Emirati being screen in 2011, to a slightly higher figure of Emiratis being screened currently. Of those who took part in testing in 2013, 1,194 were referred to undergo mammograms and a further 189 were referred for ultrasound imaging, bringing the total number of referrals made by the Pink Caravan’s medical teams to 6,800 mammograms and 900 ultrasounds respectively. The Pink Caravan campaign runs annually under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, under the directives of Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. The campaign highlights the importance of regular self-examination in combating breast cancer, while it simultaneously raises funds towards mobile 3D mammogram clinics — which in turn provide free tests to residents. news@khaleejtimes.com Taylor Scott International