Dar Al Shifa Launches breast cancer early detection campaign

KUWAIT: Dar Al Shifa Hospital announced today the launch of its “Prevention better than cure” breast cancer early detection campaign, which aims at helping patients fully understand breast cancer disease. The campaign will run across the month of October 2012, in which the hospital will provide specialized medical screening tests as well as advice at its booth in 360 MALL. The booth will also include a medical team to educate interested female visitors about different methods of self-exams, while also providing them with a number of educational leaflets and brochures about the same.

Dr Tarek Sinan, Consultant and Head of the Diagnostic Imaging Center at Dar Al Shifa Hospital said: “It is crucial to highlight Breast Cancer at an early stage and to understand the signs, symptoms and methods of treatment.  New technologies have been developed that helps in detecting the disease earlier in the process.” Deaths from breast cancer among women in Kuwait are considered the world’s highest due to a lack of awareness and delay in detection of the disease. The ratio of deaths among patients of breast cancer worldwide is 1:8. Even as studies confirm the rate of breast cancer is higher globally, deaths resulting from breast cancer in Kuwait are higher than the global rate because the disease is always detected in its late stages. Around 3 percent of women between 20 and 29 years in Kuwait have breast cancer, and 5.9 percent of those between 30-39 years old suffer from the disease. 24.7 percent of the breast cancer patients are between 40 and 49 years, 29.1 percent of them 50-59 years, while 13.9 percent of women between 70 and 79 years have this form of cancer.

“Breast Cancer is a wide spread disease that is considered to have high death rates amongst women worldwide, although it can be treated and cured if detected at an early stage.  Through this campaign, Dar Al Shifa Hospital aims at showcasing its overall commitment towards raising more awareness while also becoming a primary healthcare information source across the community. The hospital’s team will be present to provide factual information that women need to be familiar with, such as for example self-exams,” added Dr Sinan.

Cancer is made up of abnormal cells growing out of control, and over time, if not detected and treated, the cancer can spread from the breast to other organs such as liver, brain, lungs and bones. Breast Cancer treatment includes surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and endocrine/ anti hormone therapy. The treatment success depends on the age factor, stage of growth of the cancer and its type, and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs. Screening is a primary prevention step where early detection will be made, and further allows early intervention measures to be implemented in order to secure a greater possibility of surviving and overcoming the cancer.

“Women are invited  to visit Dar Al Shifa Hospital, and enjoy a 50 percent discount on the mammography and the breast ultrasound, while also having the opportunity to benefit from the discount of 50 percent on one of the latest breast MRI machines in Kuwait, during the month of October 2012,” concluded Dr Sinan. The breast cancer early detection awareness campaign takes place annually and is part of the continued development of the Dar Al Shifa Hospital’s successful contributions to raise awareness on the disease, and to encourage women to do the preventive checks .The hospital utilizes its state-of-the-art technology, and renowned leading doctors and consultants to deliver optimal levels of healthcare to its patients.

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