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29 March 2024

Pink Caravan tells schools about breast cancer

Published
By WAM

The Pink Caravan campaign, an initiative launched by the Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP) Society and Sharjah Islamic Bank, has continued to raise awareness about breast cancer at government and private bodies and schools across the UAE.

As part of its school-visiting program, the Pink Caravan has set up a mobile medical clinic equipped with medical and nursing staff in Al Morouj Private School in Sharjah to spread awareness about the danger of breast cancer, and to offer medical instructions and guidelines on the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Free breast cancer examinations and screenings were offered and educational sessions were conducted on how to perform breast self-examinations with the use of easy and descriptive tools. Medical staff also answered queries and questions raised by attendants.

The clinic, which was set up on the school campus, received a significant response from the administrative and teaching staff, as well as mothers and fathers, who came to benefit from the free examinations.

This response supports, and is seen as an extension of, the huge turnout the Pink Caravan received during its 10 day journey in April, during which mobile medical clinics were set up in 20 schools across the UAE with support from the Ministry of Education, Educational Zones. A total of 1,600 people were screened while about 2,446 people listened to awareness lectures. The campaign targeted preparatory and secondary girls' schools.

Speaking on this event, Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, Head of the Awareness Medical Committee of the Pink Caravan, said: "The Pink Caravan has received immense support and encouragement across the emirates during its campaign to spread awareness of this common cancer. Breast cancer cannot be prevented but, if detected early, it can be treated."

She added that the medical team conducted early breast cancer detection screenings for women as young as 20 years old who were examined by doctors using SureTouch technology. Women were also offered free mammography and ultrasound screenings.

On her part, Nafeesa Al Mulla, Principal of Al Morouj School, said: "We are proud to be part of the Pink Caravan campaign and to support its noble objectives of spreading awareness about breast cancer in order to curb its incidence and reduce its daily growing dangers."

The schools program featured various activities, including the distribution of brochures and booklets containing information about breast cancer prevention and detection. Schools also contributed to raising funds for the Pink Caravan awareness campaign.

The campaign, which began in February 2011, will continue to run until 2014.