A UAE-wide health campaign has helped 11 women receive breast cancer treatment.
The women - aged between 30 and 62 from Sharjah, Ajman, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah - had breast cancer diagnosed after the Pink Caravan Ride, an awareness campaign organised by Friends of Cancer Patients, set-up 8,000 screenings and clinical examinations across the UAE.
The eighth Pink Caravan Ride saw 47 mammography tests carried out at mobile medical clinics, along with 254 mammography tests and 97 ultrasound examinations in partnership with private healthcare providers.
The women’s ages ranged more than three decades, highlighting the need for regular check-ups and increased awareness. Two of those who were diagnosed are in their early 60s, four in their mid 50s, four in their 40s and one woman is just 30-years-old.
This year’s Pink Caravan Ride was the most comprehensive to date, offering its services to 687 more people than last year, and for the first time, the Medical Awareness Committee kept a number of the fixed clinics operational for nine days after the campaign concluded, adding 2,635 extra check-ups to the final tally.
Reem bin Karam, Head of the Pink Caravan’s Higher Steering Committee, said, "To be able to help these 11 women is a hugely gratifying part of the Pink Caravan campaign, and has potentially been a life-saving exercise for them. Equally, the increasing willingness of so many people to undertake screenings has been overwhelming and that reflects our key message of awareness."
