Healthcare | Monday 22 May, 2017 3:58 am |

 

The UAE’s most prominent breast cancer awareness campaign, Pink Caravan Ride launched by Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), has detected 10 cases of malignancy this year. The seventh annual ride held in March 2017 ended with 7,108 free medical examinations offered across the seven emirates. These cases have been referred to FoCP for potential support. 

 

Eight more cases from the seventh Ride are currently under scrutiny, awaiting biopsy results and detailed medical analyses. The already diagnosed cases fall under the 34 to 62 years’ age group, and have come out of the emirates of Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Dubai. Belonging to both Arab and foreign nationalities; the 10 cases include two from Palestine, and one each from the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Pakistan, India and the Netherlands.

 

“All 10 breast cancer cases reported in this edition have been quickly transferred to FoCP, who will follow-up with the patients keeping in mind their overall physical and mental wellbeing. Towards this end, we will also provide counselling and strong emotional support for patients and their families,” said Reem BinKaram, Chairperson of the Pink Caravan’s Higher Organising Committee.

 

“Early detection of these cases will play a pivotal role in treatment. Studies indicate that 98% cases of breast cancer, if detected early, can be treated successfully. This gives us immense hope to think of a bright, cancer free future for our patients.”

 

She emphasised the critical role the constant patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council Ruler of Sharjah, as well as the directives and support of his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Founder and Royal Patron of the FoCP, has played in furthering the goals of the Pink Caravan Ride to enhance its campaigning efforts across the UAE, fostering hope and positivity among patients and their caregivers with medical support. BinKaram also thanked all partnering institutions, medical and non-medical, for their unfailing support. 

 

“About the eight other cases currently under investigation, I would like to point out that 8 out of 10 tumours in the breast are benign. As a result, there is a high chance that the biopsy results turn out to be cancer free. Our fingers are crossed for a positive outcome, as we wait for the final medical reports,” she added.

 

Held under the theme ‘Seven Years… For Seven Emirates’, the seventh annual Pink Caravan Ride broke all previous records, and registered the highest number of people examined. It offered free screenings, mammograms and medical tests to 7,108 people. The numbers included 5,991 women and 1,117 men, who were received at 123 clinics operating out of the seven emirates by a team of 65 medical experts. These numbers testify that Pink Caravan has reached another significant milestone in their movement of preventing and reducing the occurrence of breast cancer in the UAE.

 

Since 2011, the Pink Caravan Ride has provided free clinical examinations to 48,874 people, including 39,231 women and 9,643 men, 14,278 free mammograms and 1,802 ultra sounds screenings. In its seven editions, the campaign has successfully diagnosed 42 cases of breast cancer, including 41 women and one man.  

 

Till date, Pink Caravan Ride has travelled 1,640 kilometres across the 7 emirates with 492+ riders, 700+ volunteers, providing free clinical examinations to 48,874 locals and residents in 578 clinics. These statistics are shared between 38,856 women and 9,643 men. This is a reflection of the campaign’s undulating efforts to raise awareness about the importance of regular medical examinations as a key tool for early detection and complete recovery from breast cancer.