Healthcare | Monday 24 October, 2016 1:09 pm |

Breast cancer survivors say the efforts of Dubai’s multicultural business community are vital to tackling the disease and continuing to boost survival rates.

Linda Berlot, a British expat living in Dubai, who has been free from the disease for five years discovered she had breast cancer during a mammogram. Fortunately, because Linda was so proactive it was caught early, and although she did have to have a double mastectomy, she did not need chemo or radiotherapy. 

She is this year part of a drive by Dubai wealth management firm Globaleye to raise awareness and funds for Brest Friends, a local support group and registered charity for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Berlot says more efforts like this are needed to reduce social stigmas around breast cancer awareness as businesses can talk directly to employees of all nationalities.

She said: “Businesses are key to getting the message across because they interact on a personal level with clients from all backgrounds. The financial world can sometimes be seen as a male dominated place where you wouldn’t dream about talking about such heath issues, but Globaleye is leading the way in showing that they not only support and care for people’s finances they also believe in looking after the individual too. They are telling people to not only be proactive about their money, but also their health.”

 “Our message is Life Well Planned meaning for both your health and your finances,” added Globaleye executive Stefan Terry.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in the UAE and the number of young women in their twenties and early thirties being diagnosed with it is increasing. Worldwide one in eight women will get it and according to a study carried out by the Arab Genomic Centre, women in the UAE are getting breast cancer 10 years earlier than the world average.  

This makes for uncomfortable reading, but Berlot, who has been Vice President of Brest Friends for five years, believes the message about breast cancer is getting across. She says: “Awareness of self-examination, yearly mammograms and routine check-ups are the key to survival and today more and more women know this. But we have to continue with events and seminars to ensure everyone from all backgrounds is aware of the disease and how to check for it. My story is an example of how early detection can save your life.”

Globaleye is committed to giving back to the community. As well as raising money for charity they also link with local projects and fundraise for good causes. Later this month there will be a breast cancer awareness reception at their offices in Umm Suqeim and November will see the start of their prostate and testicular cancer awareness programme.

“I really believe that the company as a whole has a level of care and professionalism you just don’t get with other financial institutions,” says Berlot.

Through continued programmes and events designed to spread the word and educate about breast cancer more women will be able to be diagnosed and treated quickly. 

Dr Hiba Al Zaidani from Mediclinic Welcare Hospital, who support the Globaleye initiative, says it is one of the most treatable diseases if caught early. She said: “Early detection is the best prevention which is why we are so keen to raise awareness. We recommend a monthly self-examination, then yearly mammograms from the age of 40, increasing to two from 54.”