- SSMC surveys over 400 female residents in the UAE over the age of 40 to better understand breast cancer awareness and their attitudes toward regular breast cancer screening.
- Findings show that while most women said would remind a friend or a family member to get a health check-up, such as a mammogram, 34% have never booked one for themselves.
- Survey further highlights that the decision to book a mammogram can often take months – in contrast to the frequency for decisions made for other lifestyle appointments.
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), one of the UAE’s largest hospitals for serious and complex care and a joint-venture partnership between Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) and Mayo Clinic, has recently commissioned a survey as part of ‘Your Health Deserves’, its Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, to gain a deeper understanding of how women in the UAE approach breast cancer screening.
Surveying over 400 women aged 40 and above in the UAE, SSMC found that approximately 88% of the respondents would like to have more control over their health and well-being. However, only 66% said they undergo all recommended routine check-ups regularly suggested by their doctor. Nearly a third (34%) of the women said they have never booked a mammogram, with this number, jumping to 46% in Sharjah.
Results further show that for nearly half of the respondents, the decision to book a mammogram can often take months – a stark contrast to the decisions made when it comes to other lifestyle appointments.
“The survey results highlight a contradiction between people’s health aspirations and actual attitudes toward screenings, something that requires urgent course correction,” said Dr. Aisha Alsalami, consultant medical oncologist at SSMC. “Regular check-ups are not just recommended but essential for early detection – especially since early detection means treatment could be more effective and thereby significantly increase the chances of survival.”
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women in the UAE, accounting for almost half of cancers diagnosed. Half of breast cancer cases develop in women, who have no identifiable breast cancer risk factor other than their age (typically over 40 years), however, if detected early it is estimated that 98% of women can survive the disease.
To better understand how women perceive regular screenings, the survey also assessed the frequency at which women book services such as beauty appointments (e.g. nails/ hair/ facial/ massage etc.), holidays or staycations, car services, in comparison to medical check-ups such as a mammogram and routine physical examinations. The findings show:
- For 37% of women, the decision to book a beauty service takes up to a couple of hours. In contrast, 25% of women take the same period of time to book a mammogram. However, for 47% of them, the decision to book a mammogram can take a couple of months or more.
- 68% of women undergo beauty services that last anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours. Yet, a mammogram only takes 30 minutes on average.
- Single and married couples with no children undergo more routine checkups as compared to married women with children.
- Nearly 55% spend a couple of months or more planning vacations. Meanwhile, 66% book a car service at least once a year, while one in five schedules it every 2-3 months. In contrast, 34% have never booked a mammogram.
- Most women said they are likely to remind a female friend or a family member to get a health check-up such as a mammogram – but a third of them have never had a mammogram themselves.
In a similar study conducted last year, SSMC found that lack of awareness, cultural beliefs, stigma in addition to fear, anxiety and privacy concerns often impede women from seeking timely diagnosis.
“Given the insights we’ve gained over the years, SSMC now has a dedicated all-female team to enhance patient comfort for women undergoing tests and breast cancer screenings. As part of our commitment to offering world-class care, our hospital also houses the latest diagnostic technologies and treatment techniques such as AI powered pathology for more accurate diagnosis and state-of-the-art radio oncology equipment for improved outcomes.” added Dr. Alsalami.
Throughout the month of October, SSMC’s breast cancer awareness campaign “Your Health Deserves”, aspires to raise awareness of early detection with the aim of increasing regular screening in women over the age of 40 for earlier diagnosis and treatment. On Oct. 8, SSMC partnered up with Pink Caravan and Abu Dhabi Ladies Club and the Pink Caravan, a UAE-based breast cancer initiative by Friends of Cancer Patients to offer free check-ups at the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club and provided members of the public with the opportunity to engage with several SSMC’s breast cancer and radiation onclology experts to broaden their knowledge and awareness on breast cancer and prevention.
Additionally, as part of the campaign, SSMC will bring back its Breast Cancer Support Group, providing sessions aimed at facilitating a safe space for patients and their families to express their feelings and share their unique experiences during their treatment journey. On Oct. 28, SSMC will organize a support group session with patients and doctors from 3:30 to 8 p.m., at Abu Dhabi Ladies Club, featuring a wide range of activities including meditation, entertainment, scent stone workshop and group discussions.
Dr. Abdulqader Almessabi, deputy chief medical officer at SSMC, said: “Our unique model of care at SSMC is based on our unshakable shields of practice, research and education that focus on placing patients’ needs first. At SSMC, we contribute to enhanced levels of community well-being through our health literacy efforts around prevalent diseases, such as breast cancer and by delivering integrated compassionate care through the latest innovations and a team of multidisciplinary medical experts that place patients at the very heart of their practice and purpose.”
