Friends of Cancer Patients launch National Breast Cancer Awareness campaign in Sharjah

GE Healthcare, a subsidiary of General Electric, has provided a mammogram machine for the Mother and Child Health Centre in Sharjah. During the two month campaign, free testing for early breast cancer detection via a mammogram machine under the supervision of an x-ray specialist is also being provided. Additionally brochures and booklets about breast cancer and the ways it can be prevented are being distributed.

Mrs. Sawsan Jafar, President Board of Trustees "Friends of Cancer Patients", said, "This campaign implements the international protocol of testing and accurate detection. All results are being checked at the early breast cancer detection centre of the Ministry of Health in Abu Dhabi, which adherer's to these international standards."

Mammogram testing is the third step of early breast cancer detection after the self-examination and medical evaluation. However this test is only for women aged 40 years and over. 96 women underwent this testing, including 76 Arab women. Around 60 of them were 46 years and older, with three of them having a history of family illness.

The "Friends of Cancer Patients" society, The Patronized Charity of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohamed Al Qassimi, Honorary President of FOCP and President of Higher Council for Family Affairs, is intending to buy the mammogram machine and ultra sound waves machine after the ending of this awareness campaign in December this year and donate it to Ministry of Health and Mother and Child Health Centre, to ensure the continuity of the early breast cancer detection campaign.

Under the sponsorship of H.E. Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qassimi, "Friends of Cancer Patients", launched on the same evening The International Annual Awareness Campaign, titled "Key to the Cure" at Saks Fifth Avenue in Burjuman, Dubai, followed by a charity reception celebration at 7 pm, in collaboration with FOCP and Gargash Enterprises - Mercedes Benz.

The four day campaign includes a charity shopping event where 5% of all proceeds will go to support the tasks of "Friends of Cancer Patients". This comes with the efforts of the organization that focuses on combating the disease by all means and tools, particularly though their complete awareness campaigns.

Notably, "Friends of Cancer Patients", co-operated with Saks Fifth Avenue for the second year running in this international campaign, to spread awareness about breast cancer and the ways of its prevention.