Al Mawakeb students lend support to National Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

The paintings will be displayed in the main hallway for all to see until the end of November. Over one hundred and forty girls who participated in the painting activity gathered in the main courtyard yesterday to collectively urge their mothers to get tested for breast cancer. The girls stood unified with a banner that read, 'Breast Cancer Can Tear Your Family Apart' to promote the idea that breast cancer can affect the entire family and that everyone has a responsibility to take precautionary measures.

'We take pride in our students, who consistently demonstrate proactive commitment by partaking in and organising awareness-raising community initiatives,' said Mrs. Alissar Soubra, Director of Academics, Al Mawakeb School. 'It is never too early to start educating children. These girls are the mothers of the future and we are glad to be doing our part in ensuring that they grow up enlightened and educated on breast cancer,' she added.

Al Mawakeb School has also distributed leaflets to its senior students and staff members on the importance of early detection, annual mammograms and breast self-examinations. Research has proven that early detection significantly increases the chances of survival, with annual mammography testing regarded as the most accurate method of preliminary diagnosis.

'Our efforts this year have focused mainly on reaching out to females directly, be that through schools, offices, universities or councils, in order to deliver the message that early detection saves lives,' explained Rima Khadra, Communications Manager, Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. 'Over the next few years, our aim is to overcome cultural barriers and eliminate all fear associated with breast cancer testing, making it a regular procedure for women over forty.'

The National Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign will continue to run throughout November with several private hospitals across the Emirates offering discounts on mammography testing. In addition, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and the National Centre for Early Detection in Abu Dhabi as well as the Maternal and Child Health Centre in Sharjah will all be offering free mammograms for local and expatriate women for the duration of the campaign.