Doctors are calling for a national breast cancer screening programme that would be accessible to all women, saying it would increase their chances of successful treatments.
“If you have a mature screening programme, you’re more likely to detect the disease early and have a better prognosis,” said Dr Richard Reyes, a consultant breast and general surgeon at American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital.
“What we have are people who are offering lifestyle screening. There are no key performance measures. It’s very hit and miss. A successful screening programme must be quality assured … I really believe a national screening programme is essential.”
His call comes at the start of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Access to screening depends on the clinic’s offerings and patient health insurance policies.
Daman covers annual screenings for women over 40. Emiratis have access to free screenings at government facilities. But expatriates who do not have insurance are left in the lurch. A mammogram can cost up to Dh800.
Thanks to support from friends, Gaby Popova, 35, was able to cover the cost of her treatment after finding out she had breast cancer in January last year.
“I had just turned 34, enjoying and loving life,” the US citizen said. “However, my life turned upside-down in an instant. “I was diagnosed and it hit me that I don’t have health insurance.
“I was calling and asking for insurance companies to send me quotes. As soon as I told them I got cancer they said you cannot get insurance. Cancer treatments and surgeries are very expensive.”
Now in recovery, Ms Popova hopes screening will become more routine.
“I was going for regular checkups and about eight months prior to my diagnosis, I had some pain in my breast that was pretty persistent,” the financial planning consultant said.
“My doctor checked it but said it was nothing. Months later I found a persistent lump that was growing. I went to my doctor who suggested I get an ultrasound and mammogram.
“When I went for the mammogram, the technician looked at me and said I don’t need the mammogram because I’m young.
“I wanted to listen to her and run from the hospital. My friend insisted I get the mammogram, however, just in case. I have my friend to thank for not letting me go.”
The Ministry of Health launched a nationwide initiative in 1995 but it remains fairly limited, with only six government healthcare centres offering free screenings to women over 40 last year.
The ministry did not respond to requests for comment on the challenges the programme is facing and updates on its status.
The national focus should still be on awareness more than anything, said Dr Jalaa Taher, the section head of cancer control and prevention at the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi.
“In my opinion, it’s not the only barrier,” Dr Taher said. “For nationals it’s covered, yet the awareness blocks people.”
The screening programme in place is doing a good job, she added, but statistics could be better.
“To affect the mortality you have to reach at least 70 per cent,” Dr Taher said. “Maybe among the nationals it is like 69 per cent, but still far beyond among non-nationals and if we take the total, it’s like 28 to 30 per cent.
“Still a lot of women have to go and do screening. That’s why we found a reduction in mortality among nationals but no change among non-nationals.”
Figures from Dubai Health Authority show that about a third of cases have cancer diagnosed in the third stage, when it has spread to areas such as the axillary lymph nodes.
A group of experts are due to meet at the UAE Cancer Congress this month to discuss some of the issues related to breast cancer and screening in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region.
It will look at the differences in demographics and policies that need to be considered for screening programmes in the region.
For now, doctors must hammer home the need to get screened, said Dr Taher.
“Our role is just to let people hear and understand the importance of early screening and to go and just do it,” she said. “Simply check.”
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