Partnership Spreads Awareness, Empowers Patients

January 13, 2009

A study in the UAE shows that 60 percent of women over the age of 50 may develop breast cancer. The number of deaths caused by breast cancer has been rising dramatically, with doctors saying that diagnostic techniques have not improved significantly and that many women are too shy or uneducated to seek medical care. This lack of awareness of the benefits of regular medical checkups results in many diagnoses being made 6 to 10 years after the onset of breast cancer.

Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak is overseeing the creation of broad public health initiatives to combat the devastating effects of these health related challenges.

The UAE has forged a partnership with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the US State Department to raise awareness of breast cancer and facilitate more effective outcomes in prevention and treatment.

Through the partnership, UAE women’s groups, government officials, physicians and medical organizations have access to experts from the Komen Foundation as well as the first-class medical expertise of Johns Hopkins Medicine International. These relationships promote the exchange of ideas and help UAE groups develop local awareness programs.