DUBAI, 20th October, 2013 (WAM) -- Breast cancer in men is a stark reality, as was seen after the annual Pink Caravan awareness campaign's result analysis, which revealed that one 48-year-old Emirati man was diagnosed with malignant breast cancer.
The man, who has not been named, was one of thousands of patients who received free screening and checkups during the annual pan-U.A.E. trek. A lump which had gone unchecked for more than six years was found in his chest and he was urgently referred for an ultrasound.
A number of tests including mammogram, biopsy and needle aspiration were consequently conducted, and he was advised to undergo surgery for a mastectomy.
Continuing its drive to educate the public about the various facets of breast cancer, Pink Caravan, the nationwide breast cancer awareness campaign, is drawing attention to an often-overlooked segment of breast cancer sufferers - men.
Speaking about the issue of breast cancer in men, Dr. Sawsan Al Madhi, Secretary-General for Friends of Cancer Patients charitable society, FoCP, and Head of the Pink Caravan Medical and Awareness committee, said, "There is a common misconception that breast cancer is solely a female matter, and even though the majority of breast cancer patients are women, male breast cancer is very real, a fact that was underscored by the identification of a man with breast cancer during this year's Pink Caravan Ride." Through their nationwide campaign, Pink Caravan aims to make every member of the community aware of the realities surrounding breast cancer, irrespective of their nationality, age, or gender, with the ultimate goal of ridding the U.A.E. entirely of the disease.
"In the three years since the first Pink Caravan Ride began, we have conducted a total of over 21,794 breast cancer screenings, out of which 5,484 were for men. We hope to see the number of men coming forward to be tested continue to increase. We strongly urge all men to be screened if they have any suspicions of a lump or tumour - it is a step of courage that can potentially save their lives," Dr. Al Madhi added.
© Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
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