The month of October is dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer and the importance of screening and early detection of the disease. Amidst the high number of breast cancer cases worldwide, the Breast Cancer Awareness Month initiative has become even more relevant today.
The World Health Organisation has classified breast cancer as the “world’s most prevalent cancer,” noting that 2.3 million women were diagnosed with the illness in 2020 alone. During the period, 685,000 deaths were recorded globally.
Critical to preventing deaths is catching the disease in its early stage through breast screenings such as mammograms. At this stage of the disease, the lump is still small and has not spread to other parts of the body, meaning the chances of successfully treating the cancer are still very high.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women between ages 40-44 begin getting checked more regularly whilst women specifically between ages 45-54 should undergo mammograms annually. Women aged 55 and above should consider having a mammogram every other year or yearly. However women designated as high risk should start regular screenings as early as 30 years old; undergoing both a breast MRI and a mammogram every year.
Anyone can get screened at a clinic or a hospital. Some institutions commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a free mammogram service to encourage women to undergo screening whilst others offer the service at a discounted price.
In Dubai, several hospitals provide a breast cancer screening procedure free of charge or at a discounted rate. Christin Toubia, Co-Founder and Creative Advisor of Raayi app has used the platform’s unique curation feature to share with the community a list of hospitals with free and discounted mammogram services during this month. For free service, the list includes Zulekha Medical Centre, Zulekha Hospital Dubai, and Al Garhoud Private Hospitals. On the other hand, Christin’s list for a discounted mammograph service includes Mediclinic Parkview Hospital, Emirates Specialty Hospital, Al Zahra Hospital-Dubai, and HealthBay-Al Wasl, amongst others.
The app’s curation feature was built to allow its users to share information through lists. The power of such function lies in its ability to help others make better decisions when availing themselves of the services they need.
On Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the curation feature proves to be useful in terms of getting the word out about hospitals and health care hubs in Dubai with world-class and cost-efficient breast cancer screening procedures. The act of making the list is in and of itself a big help to anyone with health concerns.
In fighting breast cancer, a global scourge, each of us can contribute in whatever way we can. Caring will go a long way towards finding a cure and making treatments accessible to all.