Tawam launches first mobile mammography screening in UAE

The all female operated mobile service is totally self-contained benefiting from high-end, cutting edge digital technology. Images can be transmitted to the Tawam hospital for instant diagnosis. If lesions are suspected, further analysis can be carried out and a decision on whether treatment is required can be made within hours. Should treatment be necessary, Tawam has a complete support team at their dedicated state-of-the-art Breast Care Center in Al Ain - a regional first.

'While breast screening could be provided in the large hospital-based centres such as Tawam, it is important to reach out to the remainder of the female population. Developing a mobile screening programme to provide screening mammograms and breast health education to rural women in their own communities is the ideal solution, reflecting the needs of the local population whilst maintaining cultural deference,' commented Michael E. Heindel CEO of Tawam Hospital.

Initially the pilot project will operate in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, with plans to expand the program to include six or more units. With the new mobile service Tawam is aiming to screen up to 20 patients per day, a significant increase on those who actually visit traditional hospital centers. Women aged over 40 years are deemed to be most at risk, and are the targeted demographic for Tawam.

One of the barriers women face when choosing to attend a mammography session, is the distance and time required to reach a fixed centre in a large town or city. Due to the extensive geography of the UAE and the location of regional centres and rural communities, a mobile screening unit is a viable proposition compared to building numerous permanent clinics and also offsets the possibility of much more expensive hospital treatment if symptoms go undiagnosed.

'The mobile unit creates a win-win situation. The mobile mammography service will not only save lives, it will also save the health service millions of Dirhams by screening more women, more regularly and thereby reducing the number of potentially fatal or advanced cases. It is a sad fact that 90 per cent of cases referred to us are already in the advanced stages,' added Heindel.
Hologic the US-based medical technologies company who specialise in diagnostic imaging products and interventional devices dedicated to women's health have developed the technology to be used in the mobile unit.

Mark Duerst, Senior Vice President, Hologic, said, 'The Selenia digital mammography platform combines the latest advances in digital imaging technology with sophisticated information management capabilities in a remarkably small footprint.'

Mammography has the capacity to detect lesions at an early stage on asymptomatic women, much earlier in fact than is possible through breast self-examination or clinical examination. It provides the best possible means for reducing breast cancer mortality and morbidity which can improve the chances of successful treatment and recovery, especially for women in the 50-69 age group.

The health issues surrounding breast cancer in the UAE were highlighted over twelve months ago with the launch of the US-UAE Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research, under the Patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak.

Currently, the UK has over 90 breast screening units and Australia provides free screening through a network of fixed and mobile services, available in over 500 locations across the country. Evidence suggests that many women prefer to attend a mobile unit with the average uptake for screenings generally higher The UAE is faced with similar issues of a widespread population, but with the added complications of poor rural infrastructure, educational and cultural considerations.