Kuwait Times

Published Date: October 10, 2009
By Velina Nacheva, Staff Writer

KUWAIT: Early detection of breast cancer is the key toward saving women's lives, says breast cancer survivor Dorothy Robb, an expat who has been living in Kuwait for three and a half years. Dorothy was diagnosed with breast cancer, a fate shared by one in eight women globally, during a routine mammogram screening back in the United Kingdom in 2002. My lump was detected very early, she says, because of that I am still seen as a survivor. In 2007, Dorothy had a second lump discovered. She had to endure two
lumpectomies in 2002 and in 2007 to remove the lumps followed by radiation treatment. Being diagnosed with cancer "is an incredibly scary experience," she says. "Early detection means that the outcome is more likely to be good.

Prior to her diagnosis, Dorothy used to go for a routine medical screening once every three years. Since Dorothy's lump was discovered she undergoes regular screenings once a year.

Breast cancer, the most common cause of cancer mortality, accounts for 16 percentage of cancer deaths in women. However, prevention and regular screening heralds positive changes. More than 1.2 million people worldwide will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, according to the World Health Organization. Also, mortality rates are declining in all women and this is believed to be the result of early detection and more effective treatments because some 70 percent of the cancers are preventable.

Dorothy retains a strong echo of the prevention worldview. Her appeal is for women to get a mammogram and early screening, something that is less common in Kuwait when compared to other parts of the world.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide accounting for just over one million new cases annually. Breast cancer, the most common cause of cancer mortality, accounts for 16 percentage of cancer deaths in women. However, screening by mammography can reduce mortality from breast cancer by up to one-third among women aged 50-69 years, WHO say on their website.

Dr Nouralhuda Karmani, founder of Breast Care Kuwait - an NGO that was established in 2008 maintains that timely screening has a profound effect on mortality rates. Some 85 percentage of women who discovered the breast cancer early and get treated by lumpectomy live long enough, she says.

Breaking the barriers
Prevention is not very popular in eastern cultures, argues Dr Karmani.
In Kuwait, the surge in breast cancer diagnoses at a later stage stems from a two-prong trend: the lack of knowledge about breast cancer and screening, concomitant with the lack of trust in dealing with different health authorities.

Breast cancer can affect anyone - regardless of who you are or where you're from," says. Dr. Karmani, who is also a head of the breast imaging unit at Al-Sabah Hospital in Kuwait. She says, "People fighting against breast cancer today are mothers, sisters, daughters and friends - they are people who need our support and acceptance as they battle to regain their health. And we honor their fight when we embrace and share the message that breast cancer screening is vital for all women.

In her opinion, the prevailing mindset is changing today for the better. She advises women at 40 and older to have regular screenings for breast cancer. In Kuwait, yearly some 300 women - both expats and Kuwaitis - are diagnosed with breast cancer at advanced stage, says Dr Karmani. That is why, according to her, prevention and raising awareness are pivotal.
Awareness: Key to survival

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month which aims to raise awareness about early detection. Pink ribbons and pins that are usually associated with breast cancer awareness are distributed at various places. Kuwait is no exception. Booths with doctors and consultants as well as survivors address the deficiency of information on prevention by distributing brochures or talking to women. Responding to the disease on time has saved lives.

P&G battle breast cancer
Many companies and NGOs, join together to battle this major health hazard in support of breast cancer awareness month. This year, for instance, in a campaign slogan-ed 'Choose Wise & Save Lives', Procter & Gamble (P&G) is partnering with regional breast cancer associations to encourage residents across the Gulf to join the fight for women's survival against breast cancer. Their month-long awareness campaign aims to educate and empower women to take charge of their own breast health by spreading the message
that early detection is the best method for successfully treating breast cancer. It also aims to ensure that women, regardless of their location, will be able to access information and learn about breast cancer and the importance of its early detection.

In Kuwait, common misconceptions and myths about breast cancer discourage some women from scheduling crucial screenings. In partnership with Breast Care Kuwait, P&G is addressing these barriers by giving women in Kuwait an opportunity to show their solidarity with those struggling to overcome breast cancer through the "Choose Wise and Save Lives" campaign. In Dr Karmani's words "the partnership with P&G is bolstering our efforts to demystify the disease.
Saving lives

'Choose Wise and Save Lives' aims to reach one million women across the GCC by being a visible presence in the places where they do their shopping, a press release said.

In the words of Wael Al-Jamil, P&G Arabian Peninsula, globally, the number of breast cancer cases is on the rise. "Despite this troubling increase, many women are still unaware that early detection gives them the best chance of survival. This year, we are focusing our efforts by linking this important message to popular products on a woman's shopping list. By connecting with women in the places where they shop, we hope to help raise awareness about early screening in a simple, friendly way that emphasizes
how each consumer can personally contribute to helping a woman beat the early signs of breast cancer," he said in a press release.

The brands involved are those with which women strongly identify, and include Pampers, Braun, Always, Olay and Pantene. "By actively utilizing the reach of these brands, P&G is able to deliver key breast health messages to thousands of women across the GCC every single day," the press release said. Brochures about breast cancer will be displayed in many of the region's supermarkets, including Carrefour, The Sultan Centre and City Centre stores in Kuwait.

Breast Care Kuwait will be conducting a walkathon in Avenues Mall today (Oct. 10) from 8am - 10am.