Day 3 of Pink Caravan Ride produces new milestones

The third day of the Pink Caravan Ride brought to the fore extremely positive developments. From the ride into the towns of Dibba Al Fujairah and Dibba Al Hisn on the east coast in the Northern Emirates, which Pink Caravan mapped for the first time, to boost the numbers of people coming in for screening, it was a day of reaching new milsetones.

The ride’s Medical Route had a busy day on Thursday receiving 977 visitors — the largest number of walk-ins the campaign has received so far in a single day. What made the day even more significant was the participation of 148 male visitors who visited Saqr Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah for breast cancer screenings and medical advice.

Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, Director-General of Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) and Head of Pink Caravan’s Medical and Awareness Committee, said: “We are on a mission to eliminate taboos and build community awareness, so what happened at Saqr Hospital is truly encouraging for the Pink Caravan advocates. While it is true that the odds of a man getting breast cancer are about one in 1,000, they carry a higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment. We want the UAE’s citizenry and residents, whether male or female, to take charge of their health and wellbeing, and we are right here to aid them in every way we can.

“Breast cancer does not discriminate between men and women, and neither should we. Put yourself before social prejudice or taboos; those don’t save lives. Thinking you’re too manly to see what’s going on with your body is misjudging manliness. Check it, don’t neglect it.”

Mohammad Adeeb Kaddah, after receiving his breast cancer screening at Saqr Hospital, said, “I would like to thank Pink Caravan for enhancing health and safety of the citizens and residents of the UAE. The medical team here provided me with precious information about breast cancer, which made me go ahead and take the screening. I did not know before today that breast cancer is a disease that can affect men. I encourage every man to go ahead and do what I did.

Another male visitor, Jaber Ebrahim Al Zaabi, after speaking to the medical team at the hospital, said: “Now I am aware that breast cancer does occur in men and are treatable and curable up to 98 per cent if detected early. I know that there is a schedule for regular checkups to keep oneself updated about this, and now that I have started, I will not stop. Thank you very much Pink Caravan.”

Day 3 in numbers

Total: 977 screenings

Emiratis: 267

Expats: 710

Mammograms: 376

Regular screenings: 55

Ultrasound scans: 46

Total number of screenings in 3 days: 2,131, including 304 men

Upcoming events

March 11: A Pink Yoga session will be held in collaboration with Dubai Ladies Club in the heart of Jumeirah. An outdoor session, it will be conducted by yoga experts from 5pm to 7pm.

March 13: ‘Pink Strides’, a seven-kilometre journey on foot around Sharjah’s Khalid Lagoon to promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles among women will be held from 5pm to 7pm.

Participants will be cheered on with a beautiful boat parade for breast cancer awareness by the Sharjah International Marine Sports Club. Those interested in participating can register online at https://www.premieronline.com/event/Pink_Strides_2528

source : gulfnews