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IN PARTNERSHIP: Every year October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, encouraging women to check their breasts regularly because being able to detect cancer signs in its earliest stages means it is easier to treat.
Self-examination is key for this, and then if something abnormal is discovered it is always best to get it checked out by a medical professional.

In order to encourage women getting checked as early as possible, Mediclinic Dubai Mall is offering a free initial consultation with a family medicine doctor or another specialist for women age 40 and above – the age range where women are most affected by breast cancer – for those who have not a mammogram in the last 12 months.
To give you the best advice possible, Emirates Woman spoke with Dr. Anjum Ishaque, who is based in Mediclinic Dubai Mall, about some of the key questions surrounding breast cancer.

With more than 15 years experience in family medicine and having worked in both Dubai and London, Dr. Ishaque shares her expertise including when exactly is the time to get checked for breast cancer; debunking myths about breast cancer; the most common breast cancer questions patients ask; and more. 

The main steps you should check for breast cancer yourself
Examining your breast regularly increases detection of cancer at an early stage. This can be done in a few simple steps either by standing in front of a mirror or in the shower. The first three steps involve looking at your breasts and noting changes while in the last three steps you are feeling for changes.
First look at the breasts with your arms at the side.
Next put your hands on the hips and lean forward and tighten the chest muscles.
Next raise your arms and put them behind your head and look at your breasts again.
Place your Left hand on your waist and roll your shoulder forward on the same side. With the Right hand feel for any swellings in the armpit. Repeat this on the other side.
Next raise Left arm and feel the breast with the Right hand. Using the pads of three or four fingers go in a circular motion or up and down. Try to be systematic so that the whole breast is covered and you do not miss any area.
Lastly, lie down and feel your breasts and armpits again as described in the previous step.
What is the sign you should look for to get checked out by a doctor?
On examination, you should note changes in the skin of the breast like redness, dimpling or puckering or any visible swellings. Next look at the nipples and note the shape to see that one is not pulling in and there is no discharge. Then feel for any lumps or swellings in the armpits and breast tissue. All of the above can be signs of breast cancer and should prompt a visit to the doctor for further review. An early visit to the doctor may help allay fears if no cause for concern is found and improve your chances of survival if breast cancer is detected.
What age should you start going for regular breast check-ups?
Regular breast examinations by a doctor and mammograms are advised from the age of 40. If there is a strong family history of breast cancer from the maternal side, then regular visits to the doctor should start at an earlier age. A breast ultrasound is more accurate in this age group and will be advised if required.
Are there any myths about breast cancer people believe that you can debunk?
Patients are deterred from attending for mammograms as they worry that the radiation dose during the test will increase their risk of breast cancer. This is completely incorrect as most modern mammograms give an extremely small radiation dose and have not been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Missing early breast cancer by not having regular screening is likely to cause more harm as it would need more extensive treatment including radiotherapy as well as lead to more deaths.
What is the main aim of Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
The main aim is to increase awareness of the signs of symptoms of breast cancer so that patients seek help early and have better outcomes after treatment. Cure rates from stage I and II breast cancer are over 90 per cent. These rates tend to fall for more advanced disease. By encouraging the patient to self-examine, recognise symptoms of breast cancer and to have regular screening we hope to pick up Breast cancer at an early stage resulting in less aggressive treatment as well as improved survival rates.
What are the treatments Mediclinic offers?
Mediclinic offers a comprehensive service from diagnosis to treatment. All modalities of screening including ultrasound, mammograms and biopsies are available for detection of breast cancer. Surgery for removal of the tumour, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and reconstructive breast surgery are then offered as needed. A multidisciplinary team of specialists are involved in the management of each case to offer therapy tailored to the individual.
What causes breast cancer?
The causes of breast cancer are multifactorial. A strong family history (with specific gene mutations especially the BRCA1 Gene) is the biggest risk factor. In addition smoking, unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise and being overweight have all been cited as factors. Having your first child late in life, not breastfeeding or taking Hormone replacement therapy for more than five years are all thought to be contributory factors as well.
What type of doctor should I see if I think I have breast cancer?
Family Medicine Doctors, General Practitioners, Breast and General Surgeons and Gynecologists are all able to examine patients and refer for mammograms and breast ultrasound if required. If breast cancer is diagnosed then patients will be referred to specialists for further evaluation and treatment.
The most common questions you get from patients after a breast cancer diagnosis
Patient’s first questions are usually about survival rates as well as the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Survival rates are very good even with more advanced disease and are constantly improving. Nausea and hair loss associated with chemotherapy though distressing is usually temporary. Reconstructive breast surgery after mastectomy can also lessen the psychological impact of treatment.
A lot of people are currently afraid to enter hospitals due to COVID-19. Why is it still so important to ensure you get checked?
It is extremely important to Detect Breast Cancer at an early stage as this leads to better survival rates and may result in needing less aggressive treatment.
The stringent screening and hygiene measures practised in all Mediclinic hospitals and clinics ensure safety for our patients and staff. These safety measures are in place during all stages of the patient journey and it would be a real pity to miss an early diagnosis of breast cancer due to perception of infection risk by patients.
Other essential information… 
Breast cancer is a common cancer in women but the chances of survival are excellent and constantly improving due to early detection and advances in treatment. This should encourage women to come in for regular screenings as well as an examination if they are worried about any breast issues. A timely check-up will rule out cancer and allay anxiety if the symptoms are due to a benign cause. If Cancer is found then again you will get the treatment and support that is required to overcome this disease and for the best chance of cure. This month is a reminder to make your health a priority and don’t let fear stop you from getting screened for breast cancer.
There’s currently a 50 per cent discount on screening mammograms if advised by a Mediclinic doctor. Complimentary breast reconstruction consultations are also on offer. There are limited bookings for the month of October. Mediclinic Dubai Mall from Sunday to Wednesdays, 8am to 5pm. Appointments only.
For more information visit the Mediclinic website.
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IN PARTNERSHIP: As October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re encouraging you to face your fears head-on and not to let fear neglect your health. Emirates Woman spoke to Dr Rita Daaboul, a Consultant General Surgeon at Medcare Women and Children Hospital (MWCH), about how important it is to get your breasts checked and how early detection is key for curing breast cancer.
While breast cancer generally occurs in older-aged women, in about half the number of breast cancer cases occur in those under 50 years of age, and as such, tends to be more aggressive. This is why it is even more important to spread the message of breast awareness and early detection, as well as remind all women to check their breasts.

It may seem daunting to get your breasts checked, but with new technology, mammograms are now less uncomfortable. It’s a seamless process and with the all-female staff at MWCH’s breast care clinic, which includes the radiologists, they ensure everyone who is there feels comfortable during their check-ups. It vital really to check your breasts regularly, 15 minutes of your time could be responsible for adding another 15 years to your life.

Dr Daaboul’s key advice for breast cancer awareness
Talk us through how to exactly check your breasts properly

Step 1
Undress from the waist up and stand in front of the mirror. Look in the mirror with your arms by your side. Notice the shape. Look for dimpling (a ‘dent’ in the smooth contour of the breasts) and nipple changes (such as a rash or ‘pulled in’ appearance). Look for differences between the two breasts.
Step 2
Look at your breasts in the mirror with your hands on your hips and your chest muscles tightened. Again, look for changes in the breast shape, the nipple appearance or differences between the breasts.
Step 3
Look at your breasts with your arms raised high above your head. The breasts should move up slightly and equally when the arms are raised. Areas of dimpling may be more obvious in this position.
Step 4
Next, feel your breasts for lumps. This can be done while standing or lying, but is better when lying down. Use your flattened fingers to feel each part of the breast. This can be done in circles, in strips up and down the breast, or by examining each quadrant (quarter) of the breast in turn. The most important thing is to make sure that you feel the whole breast, as well as underneath the nipple.
The common breast cancer symptoms?
The symptoms of breast cancer depend on where the tumour is in the breast, the size of the tumour and how quickly it is growing.
Breast changes that may indicate breast cancer include:
a new lump or lumpiness, especially if it’s only in one breast
a change in the size or shape of the breast
a change to the nipple, such as crusting, ulcer, redness or inversion
a nipple discharge that occurs without squeezing
a change in the skin of the breast such as redness or dimpling.
Are there different types of breast cancer?
Yes, there are different types of breast cancer, with some types being far more aggressive than others. The most important part of breast cancer, however, is the stage at which it presents. The earlier it is detected, the more likely it can easily be treated and cured. Breast cancer awareness, and breast cancer screening, can save lives. It is vital to detect it before it has had a chance to enlarge locally, or spread beyond the breast.

What are the misconceptions surrounding breast cancer?
The most common misconception is that somehow, performing a needle biopsy on a breast cancer to diagnose it, can actually spread the cancer more readily, or even make it more aggressive. Although this may be true for other specific types of cancer in some other organs, we can safely perform a needle biopsy on breast cancer, without this having any effect whatsoever on its behaviour.
What are the most common ages that are affected by the disease?
Breast cancer, in general, occurs more often in older-aged women. As women get older, each decade over 40 increases the risk of breast cancer significantly. However, breast cancers may occur in those under 50 years of age, and as such, tends to be more aggressive. This is why it is even more important to spread the message of breast awareness and early detection, as well as remind all women to check their breasts.
What is the treatment for breast cancer? 
The treatment of breast cancer involves more than one speciality in medicine, and is termed “multidisciplinary”. It is most commonly a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or hormonal/biological therapies. Of course, this does depend on the stage of the cancer.
What are the side effects of breast cancer treatment?
The side effects can range from none, to a whole list of rare and unusual side effects. The surgery will usually leave some scars, but with the earlier stages, this can be extremely minor. Radiotherapy can leave sunburn type changes to the breast skin, at the end of the treatment, but this will settle within a few short weeks. Chemotherapy can have various side effects, but the one most women get concerned about, is the temporary hair loss. However, it is only temporary, and the hair will start to grow back 2-3 weeks after the last chemotherapy session is given. Other common side effects are nausea, although this is controlled by other medications, and of course, noticeable fatigue towards the end of the treatment (only in the last courses).
Any other essential information to add…
Face your fears head-on. Don’t let your fear make you neglect your check-ups. Early detection saves lives.
A consultation and ultrasound or mammogram at MWCH is priced at Dhs399. Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, the clinic is open from 9am to 9pm. For more information visit medcare.ae.
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