Healthcare | Saturday 22 October, 2016 2:32 pm |

 In line with the Health Authority Abu Dhabi initiatives, Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children in Abu Dhabi launched a breast cancer awareness campaign throughout the month of October. As part of the campaign, the hospital hosted the leading media personality and motivational speaker, Mrs. Fadia Al Taweel, who spoke about her battle against cancer and how she defeated it until full recovery.

Mrs. Al Taweel gave an inspirational talk about her journey highlighting the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Studies show that more than 90% of cancer patients fully recover when the disease is diagnosed at an early stage.

She also noted how early detection is now attainable, as healthcare authorities and healthcare providers, including Danat Al Emarat Hospital in Abu Dhabi, execute annual and regular awareness programs, educating women on the importance of regular screenings for early detection.

During her tour at the hospital, Al Taweel appraised the services provided at Danat Al Emarat Hospital. Dr. Mohammed Abdullatif, Breast Imaging and Radiology Specialist at Danat Al Emarat Hospital, spoke to her about the equipment and services provided at the department, and the importance of regular screening. Dr. Abdullatif also highlighted that the Women’s Diagnostic and Breast Imaging Center at Danat Al Emarat Hospital is accredited by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi for breast screening. 

Al Taweel visited the Mammogram Unit, where she met clinicians and spoke to more than 100 women on how she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. She also spoke of what she went through during treatment and how she decided to face her disease, live with it and fight it with positivity, determination and willpower. She was determined to beat it by being always positive and learning to cope with it, in addition to joining community support programs which play a key role in encouraging patients to be positive in every aspect of their lives. Moreover, she emphasized the importance of early detection and the necessity of undergoing regular checkups.

From her side, Dr. Aseel Al Youzbaki, Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist at Danat Al Emarat Hospital, who gave a lecture attended by Fadia Al Taweel at the World Trade Center in Abu Dhabi on Thursday 20 October said, “Through such talks in the community, we aim to urge women to adopt healthy lifestyles, perform monthly self-examinations and undergo necessary tests during different stages in their life. Women aged 40 years old and more must place breast screening in their list of priorities at least every two years, and if a woman had a first-degree relative with history of breast cancer, she must undergo annual screening at a younger age after consulting a doctor.”

“Breast cancer is the world’s second most common cancer among women. However, breast cancer can be treated and fully cured if discovered at an early stage. International studies confirm that early diagnosis of breast cancer lead to higher survival rates of above 90%, whereas the survival rates of late diagnosis—stages 2 and 3—ranges between 60% and 70%,” Dr. Al Youzbaki added. “Through joint educational events and as part of our responsibility towards promoting healthier communities, we aim to improve women’s general health and educate the society on adopting healthy lifestyles at an early age, in addition to detecting diseases at early stages.”