Holding on to hope is key to recovery, say breast cancer survivors

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Holding on to hope is key to recovery, say breast cancer survivors
Approximately 1.1 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide every year.

Sharjah - Over the past seven years, the Pink Caravan Ride has travelled 1,640km across seven emirates with almost 500 riders and more than 700 volunteers dedicating more than 200,000 hours.

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Published: Mon 22 Jan 2018, 11:56 AM

Last updated: Mon 22 Jan 2018, 2:05 PM

The eighth Pink Caravan Ride will travel across the emirates from February 28 - March 6, according to Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, director-general of FoCP and head of Pink Caravan's medical and awareness committee.
"We will welcome breast cancer survivors to be a part of the Pink Caravan Ride and the volunteer team to inspire, motivate, spread hope and highlight the importance of regular medical examinations, she said.
"Since its inception, the Pink Caravan has offered free medical check-ups and clinical examinations to 48,874 people, including 32,093 expatriate residents and 16,781 Emiratis. Out of that total, 9,643 have been men. These figures demonstrate the immense efforts being exerted by the Pink Caravan to reduce the incidence and increase the treatment of cancer in the community," said Dr Al Madhi.
Dr Al Madhi called on all medical experts and healthcare professionals to join the medical team accompanying the 2018 ride to help increase medical and awareness outreach. Registration is open online until February 11 to medical professionals covering general medicine, family medicine and radiology, X-Ray technicians and nurses.
Nawal, who has beaten cancer twice, said: "It was not easy for me to accept at first, but the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer in 1999, gave me a better chance of effective treatment and led to my full recovery.
"When the Pink Caravan launched its first ride in 2011, it seemed natural to me that I should get examined again. After a mammogram, the medical team told me that I needed further medical investigations and referred me for a sonar screening. It was then that I was diagnosed for the second time.
"The enormous encouragement I received from the Pink Caravan team and FoCP staff increased my resolve to defeat cancer again. Doctors decided breast surgery (mastectomy) was the best option this time due to the spread of the cancer, followed by chemotherapy."
Nawal urged girls and women to self-examine regularly as well as attend official medical check-ups, saying: "As the Pink Caravan team informed me, early detection of the disease increases survival rates by up to 98 per cent." She lauded the immense efforts by the Pink Caravan, which offers free screenings to everyone, as well as the FoCP's practical and emotional support.
Nadia, another breast cancer survivor, spoke of her disease and recovery: "When I found a large lump in my breast, I went immediately to get screened, which was around the same time as the Pink Caravan Ride in 2011. I approached one of the Pink Caravan's clinics and took the X-ray with me. The medical staff saw the image and took a biopsy to establish the nature of the tumour.
"Ironically, my husband developed breast cancer, so I understood some of the steps which he needed to take. I cannot overstate the importance of a patient's positive mental attitude in recovery. I constantly relied on my faith in Allah and clung to hope, trying to imagine the disease as a temporary condition that must disappear."
Over the past seven years, the Pink Caravan Ride has travelled 1,640km across seven emirates with almost 500 riders and more than 700 volunteers dedicating more than 200,000 hours - equivalent of working every hour for 23 years - to make the humanitarian initiative a success. Also, many awareness lectures and workshops were conducted at numerous schools across the country. 
Breast cancer affects both men and women of all ages, and is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. It comprises 16 per cent of all cancer types that affect women. However, 98 per cent of the cases detected in the first stages can be treated and patients fully recover. Approximately 1.1 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide every year.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
 
 


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