Battle Against Breast Cancer: Let’s Beat The Big C

Being an aerobics teacher and an avid dancer, Rachel Ewer, 36, didn’t expect to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Doctors were also taken aback that somebody as young as her (she was 32 then) could suffer from the disease. After a year-long therapy, Rachel won the battle.

Today, she is a supporter of BurJuman’s "Safe and Sound" Breast Cancer Awareness Prog-ramme, which is celebrating its 10 anniversary this week.

"This campaign is important because we cannot turn a blind eye to a disease that kills unless detected early on," said Ewer.

"The problem is that people think it will not happen to them or anyone they know. But one in nine women gets breast cancer at some point in their life so one cannot overlook the disease."

Ewer said she ignored a lump she detected for months. "When I finally gathered the courage to get it diagnosed, it was because the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes."

Rashid Hospital statistics show that 9,621 people in Dubai suffered from breast cancer between 2002-2006. But this could be just the tip of the iceberg. "The one thing lacking is comprehensive statistics," said Sabina Khand-wani, head of public relations and marketing at BurJuman. Until such time, Khandwani said that creating a multi-layered plan to tackle the disease is important.

Susan Tabler, a breast cancer survivor and member of the programme’s steering committee, said: "Our aim is to provide information about treatment facilities and provide transportation facilities for women because the only radiation centre in the UAE is in Al Ain and women find it difficult to go there for daily radiations."

Sharla Musabih, social worker and committee member said, "Due to cultural factors, women in this region don’t talk about it and many don’t understand it. A campaign like this puts breast cancer at the forefront."

Safe And Sound

• To be a part of the campaign:
• Donate Dh5 and put a ribbon on the "Pledge Wall"
• Take part in the Pink Walkathon on October 26. Joining fee: Dh50
• Buy items from the Pink Bazaar