KHOBAR: The first phase of the breast cancer testing and awareness campaign has been running successfully for the past two weeks, according to Professor Fatma Abdullah Al-Mulhim from the University of Dammam and chairperson of the “Pink Eastern” campaign. The campaign kicked off in the Eastern Province on Oct. 2 under the auspices of the Saudi Cancer Foundation (SCF) and will end on Oct. 30. Al-Mulhim told Saudi Gazette that the first phase of the campaign was “very successful” and covered most of the Eastern Province's cities, reaching thousands of women. Last year eight new cases of breast cancer were found out of 1,000 mammogram tests. Statistics show that the Eastern Province has the greatest prevalence of breast cancer, at 30 percent, followed by Riyadh at 19.9 percent, and then Makkah and Madina at 16 percent. “There is no specific reason identified for this high percentage of cases reported in the Eastern Province, but it may be caused by polluted air because of the various industries or extreme weather conditions or lifestyle,” said Al-Mulhim. “The oldest woman found to have breast cancer was in her seventies, and the youngest was 17,” she said. She said breast cancer is an important health concern for all women. Currently, early detection by using mammograms is the most effective way of reducing deaths from breast cancer. Al-Mulhim said women should watch out for certain symptoms, including, “Change in the color or texture of the skin around the nipple, such as wrinkling or redness, bleeding from the nipple, change in the size or shape of the breast, and pain or obvious shrinking of the nipple. Lumps in the breast or armpit are the main symptoms of breast cancer and we advise women to visit doctors once a year.” She said that most tumors are mild and early detection of the disease has cured 97 percent of women worldwide. “It's essential that we focus on medical research into the causes of breast cancer in the Kingdom,” she said. Al-Mulhim said the SCF has a mobile mammography unit which helps them to travel to various remote locations. Any woman over the age of 40, or who has a family history of breast cancer can approach the mobile truck for a free mammography screening. It is currently stationed in the Al-Hassa area, she said. She described a mammogram as an x-ray of the breasts to detect changes or any other abnormalities that may indicate cancer. A tumor of less than one centimeter can be detected by a mammogram and the test results are released after consideration and evaluation by professors and doctors. She said any woman between the age of 40 and 69, with no breast problems, who has not had a mammogram over the past 12 months, is not pregnant or breast feeding, and has not had breast cancer treatment, is eligible and can approach the SCF for a mammogram. According Al-Mulhim, the chances of being harmed by radiation from a mammogram are negligible. Tests can safely be repeated every 12 to 18 months. During the campaign, female doctors teach women how to conduct self-examinations. Causes of breast cancer include lack of exercise, a diet with too much animal fat, late pregnancy, obesity, eating too much fast food, misuse of anti-perspirants, excessive radiation, and genetics. Saudi Cancer Foundation volunteers have set up information points in public areas and made leaflets available at various outlets to encourage women to seek periodic check
