First cervical cancer vaccine introduced in the UAE

The American Hospital Dubai introduced the vaccine during a cervical cancer awareness and prevention social event at the Fairmont Dubai yesterday, organised and presented by a multidisciplinary team of American Board certified physicians from the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, as part of the American Hospital Dubai's community education programme.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in women worldwide, after breast cancer. Approximately 2.3 million women are currently diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 800 women die daily as a result of the disease. The annual average of reported cervical cancer cases in the UAE tripled in 2005, compared to reported cases from 1998 to 2004 (Source: Cancer Registry Program).

Obstetrics and Gynecologist Dr Rihab Awad, from the American Hospital Dubai, was keen to recommend a number of essential routine screening programs that all women should take on an annual basis, such as pap-tests. "Pap tests help to detect any abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. Once an abnormality is spotted it can be removed immediately through a very simple and painless procedure," she explained.

"I am very glad that so many women attended this event, expressing their interest in cervical cancer prevention and an eagerness to learn," added Dr. Hiba Muhtasib. "Although cervical cancer awareness is relatively low in this region, today's event shows that women want to be educated about the risks, and to adopt the necessary changes in their lifestyle to decrease the chances of contracting the disease."

The UAE is the first country in the Middle East to acquire the vaccine through approvals from the Ministry of Health (MOH) in November 2006. The vaccine targets HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) types 6, 11, 16 and 18, which are the most common strains linked to cervical cancer and genital warts. HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for 75 per cent of all cervical cancer cases.

"Since the approval of the vaccine in November 2006, many women have taken the proactive decision to vaccinate themselves and their daughters," said Dr. Dawn Owens Robinson, "The vaccine can be administered to girls from the age of 9 years, with the majority of vaccines targeted towards children, to build, strengthen and increase immunity to cervical cancer."

The cervical cancer awareness and prevention event was organized by the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of the American Hospital Dubai, and included presentations from American Board Certified Obstetrics and Gynaecology Specialists; Dr Rihab Awad, Dr Dawn Owens Robinson and Dr Hiba Muhtasib, in an effort to educate women on methods of cervical cancer prevention.