• SSMC commissions public survey with over 300 women over the age of 40 in the UAE to gain insight into their breast cancer screening awareness and the most common misconceptions around the disease
  • SSMC also hosts its first support group for breast cancer patients as part of SSMC’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), one of the UAE’s largest hospitals and a joint-venture partnership between Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) and Mayo Clinic, has commissioned a survey to tackle key misconceptions around breast cancer awareness, which impact women’s decision to undergo breast cancer routine screenings. Throughout the month of October, SSMC is hosting a breast cancer awareness campaign “Your Health Deserves”, which features the launch of the SSMC Breast Cancer Support Group, including regular support sessions aimed at providing patients and their families a safe space to express their feelings and share their unique experiences during their treatment journey.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women in Abu Dhabi, 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 survive.

According to a recent public survey, commissioned by SSMC and conducted with over 300 women in the UAE aged 40 and above, nearly 8 out of 10 women have had breast cancer or know someone who has had breast cancer. Despite the prevalence of the disease, the survey revealed that 41% of surveyed women have never done a routine mammogram screening for breast cancer detection, with half of the respondents also expressing reluctance to undergoing the screening. Reasons mentioned by respondents for not getting a mammogram state being healthy (31%), fear of results (26%) and not having any family member who’s had breast cancer (25%). Other reasons stated include being embarrassed (9%) or fear of being judged (8%).

To tackle public misconceptions and help address this awareness gap, throughout the month of October, SSMC has actively driven awareness about breast cancer symptoms and risk factors with the aim of increasing regular screening in women over the age of 40 for earlier detection and treatment as part of the “Your Health Deserves” campaign. Later this month, from Oct. 24 to Oct. 30, SSMC will also be inviting the public to visit dedicated booths at Yas Mall Townsquare to speak with SSMC’s expert physicians and nurses and take part in a week’s worth of breast cancer awareness activities and giveaways.

The campaign also saw the launch of the SSMC Breast Cancer Support Group. During the first session, which took place at SSMC on Oct. 23, attendees were welcome by SSMC’s multidisciplinary team expert. Dr. Aisha Alsalami, medical oncology consultant, who opened the event with insightful advice to help patients and their families navigate the daily emotional and psychological hurdles that many experience after diagnosis. Patients were also able to hear from Sara, a 45-year-old Sudanese mother, who shared her inspiring story of hope as a breast cancer survivor. Activities also included acrylic paint pouring to promote healing through art. To conclude, attendees entered a raffle draw with the winner receiving a AED 500 voucher to a relaxing spa treatment of choice.

“We are delighted about the success of our first session kicking off SSMC’s support group. It was so heartwarming to see so many women and their families come together and hear from them,” said Dr. Alsalami. “Through these sessions, we want to drive that message of hope and strength to more and more women fighting breast cancer here in the UAE, and make sure that they not only feel supported but also better informed about their condition.”

Speaking on the experience, Sara said: “I know exactly how it feels to hear that diagnosis. It can be really tough, so much so that I did not even tell my family and friends at the beginning. That’s how scared I was. But being able to sit down with them and explain what I was feeling was so reassuring for not only me, but for them as well. That is why support groups like this are so important, so that we can spread the message to women that they are not alone on their journey.”

According to SSMC’s survey, one in five women think that breast cancer cannot be prevented, while 10% believe that once one has breast cancer, it cannot be treated. Half of surveyed women also think that wearing a tight undergarment presents a risk factor for developing breast cancer. The findings highlight the need for continued awareness and education.

Dr. Holland Ravelle, consultant in radiology and chair of department at SSMC, stated: “At SSMC, we offer an integrated care approach with a multidisciplinary team of breast cancer surgeons, medical oncologists, pathologists and radiologists that are experts in diagnosing and finding the best advanced treatment plan for breast cancer patients. This month we have been intensely dedicated towards raising awareness and educating women here in the UAE on the need for regular screening so that they can take the right steps to increase their chances of detecting breast cancer early.”

Dr. Naser Ammash, chief executive officer at SSMC, added: “To contribute to the UAE’s health care vision, as one of the UAE’s largest hospitals centred around taking care of patients with serious and complex diseases such as cancer, we are committed to elevating the level of awareness about cancer prevention and benefit of early detection. This is our responsibility to promote health and wellness in our community.”

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About the survey (methodology)

The surveys were carried out using a structured quantitative questionnaire developed by YouGov and approved by BCW Global. The survey, which was available in English and Arabic, was administered between Oct. 3 to Oct. 6, 2022. The survey sampled 302 respondents and targeted female UAE residents aged 40 and above.

About Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC)

Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) is a joint venture between Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), the UAE’s largest health care network, and Mayo Clinic, a non-profit global leader in medical care, education, and research headquartered in the United States of America. Established in 2019, SSMC is one of the largest tertiary hospitals in the UAE and serves to elevate the provision of health care services in the nation under the mandate of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.

Supported by the latest diagnostic and treatment modalities available, SSMC offers care in 34 specialties. A team of locally and internationally trained physicians and allied health staff work seamlessly together, which promotes comprehensive interdisciplinary learning, allowing SSMC to become a leading hub for integrated patient-centric medical services in the region.

As the region’s leading tertiary facility, SSMC has 732 patient beds, 18 operating theatres including a hybrid operating room, a 26-bed neonatal intensive care unit and the UAE’s largest pathology lab.

For more information on Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, or to book an appointment, visit ssmc.ae.

About SEHA

The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC–SEHA – is an independent, public joint stock company created to develop the curative activities of the public healthcare system in Abu Dhabi. The company owns and operates all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

SEHA is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy.

SEHA is committed to continuous improvement of customer care to recognized international standards and providing the community with world-class healthcare. SEHA operates 13 hospitals with 3,385 beds, 70 ambulatory care, family care, and urgent care centers and 2 blood banks. Its facilities accommodate 117,162 inpatients annually and conduct 43,262 surgeries, as well as treating more than five million outpatients. SEHA is one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the Middle East with more than 18,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care, and administrative personnel. Learn more at www.seha.ae.

About Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news and Mayo Clinic Facts for more information about Mayo.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Salma Chalak  
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City  
Email: schalak@ssmc.ae  
Fadya Al Kathairi  
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City  
Email: falkathairi@seha.ae 
Wael Al Kubbani,
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Email: Wael.AlKubbani@hkstrategies.com