To raise health awareness in the community:

To play a role in the transfer of knowledge and awareness to the community, the United Arab Emirates University Social Club (Al Multaqa), in cooperation with the Continuing Education Centre, organized a breast cancer awareness lecture on Wednesday 14^th of October 2015. It is an initiative of the Ministry of the Interior and the Health Authority to raise health awareness among female citizens and residents.

The lecture targeted female employees at UAEU and began with an introductory speech by Dr. Hamad Al Shamsi, Deputy Head of Medical Services, who thanked UAEU for their cooperation in making the lecture a success. He stressed the need for prevention and early detection as this avoids the worsening of the disease.

The Medical Services Department provided a presentation about the disease, its spread and prevention. This was followed by training for employees so they could learn how to conduct self-examinations. It emphasized the importance of early detection in identifying any abnormal changes.

The Medical Services Department showed a documentary of several women who had experience of the disease and their recovery. The viewers followed the various stages of breast cancer, from the discovery of the disease, the psychological shock for the patient and her family, to chemotherapy or excision. The film gave lots of tips and helpful information.

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world. It affects most women in the advanced stages of life. The UAE seeks to raise awareness of prevention which centers round a healthy lifestyle, exercise, adequate sleep, and avoiding hormones and other medications.

The Health Authority emphasizes that women from the age of 20 need to perform self-examinations every month and a clinical examination every 3 years. They should continue to perform the self-examination every month after the age of 40 and have a clinical examination every year. Also they should have screening and a mammogram every two years.