A charity event aiming to raise awareness on the importance of early detection of breast cancer was hosted yesterday by the Women's Health Outreach Program (WHOP) at the Cairo Opera House. In head of WHOP Dr. Dorryea Salem's inauguration of the event, she explained the organization's role in securing access for Egyptian women to timely screening as well as improving early detection and treatment of breast cancer. “We provide mobile mammography units for breast screening for free, especially for women residing in distant governorates,” she said. In the screening van, trained radiographers give women detailed information about early detection of breast cancer, and take a mammogram to detect tumor symptoms. Besides the mobile units, fully equipped mammography units with advanced screening are also available at Kasr al-Aini hospital to provide accurate diagnosis and create a national computerized database on breast cancer patients. Salem also recommended monthly breast self-examinations starting at the age of 20, as well as annual mammography starting from the age of 45. The only requirement to receive a mammogram is possession of a national ID card. Minister of Health Dr. Hatem al-Gabaly gave a speech following the opening words. Al-Gabaly said breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among Egyptian women, representing 18.3 percent of total cancer cases in Egypt. “Early detection, however, helps in saving thousands of lives in the first stages,” he said. WHOP's campaign includes a media promotion entitled “National Campaign for Early Detection of Breast Cancer.” On October 2007, the campaign was launched under the patronage of First Lady Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, in cooperation with the Egyptian Institute for Combating Breast Cancer, in an effort to reduce the mortality rate and provide patients better living conditions. “This campaign will extend over the coming eight years, targeting 45-year-old women, who represent five million of the total population of Egypt,” al-Gabaly added. Sixty-seven thousand cases have already been examined across 13 governorates, according to al-Gabaly, “while 237 out of 320 cases have been completely cured after undergoing surgery at the state's expense.” A bank account (number 195074) at Banque Misr--Kasr al-Aini branch--receives donations from those who wish to support the initiative on breast cancer awareness and treatment for women diagnosed through the campaign. Donors can also contribute by sending an SMS to 95170. The rate per SMS is LE5. The event was wrapped up at midnight. It also featured a live performance by leading musician Omar Khairat and popular singer Sherine.
