(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) One-third of the people who died of cancer in Abu Dhabi last year were UAE nationals.
Of the 407 deaths, 47 per cent were females and 53 per cent males, according to Dr Omniyat Al Hajri, director of Public Health and Policy at HAAD.
"Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Abu Dhabi and accounts for 15 per cent of annual deaths. It is the second leading cause of mortality among UAE nationals and the third among expatriates." There were 1,729 new cancer cases reported to the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (Haad); 53 per cent were females and 47 per cent males.
Breast cancer tops the list
Leading causes of death related to cancer in Abu Dhabi in 2012
> Breast €" 13.3%
> Lung €" 11.8%
> Blood €" 10.3%
> Colorectal €" 9.8%
> Liver €" 8.6%
> Others €" 46.2%
5 most common cancers in Abu Dhabi in 2012
> Breast €" 22%
> Blood €" 17%
> Colorectal €" 9%
> Lymph nodes €" 7%
> Thyroid gland €" 5%
>Others €" 40%
(Source: Health Authority-Abu Dhabi)
According to Globocan, the World Health Organisation's (WHO) international agency for cancer research, without action, cancer cases and deaths in the UAE will continue to increase. From 1,654 in 2008, cancer cases are expected to rise to 3,232 by 2020 reaching 5,914 by 2030 while deaths will double from 832 in 2008 to 1,702 in 2020 and 3,356 the following decade.
In an endeavour to raise awareness about cancer and their prevention, Haad launched its second annual Cancer Wave Health Promotion Programme €" 'Live Healthy and Simply Check' on Tuesday.
The campaign, which will run from October till March 2014 will focus on four main cancers - breast, colorectal, cervical and lung - coinciding with the global awareness months of each disease. October for breast cancer, November-December for lung cancer, January-February for cervical cancer and March for colorectal cancer. Campaign activities will include dissemination of health reading materials, community events such as seminars, free cancer screening, mobile clinics and training sessions for physicians and nurses. According to health experts, 30 per cent of cancer deaths are a result of five leading behavioural and dietary risks, including high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity as well as, alcohol and tobacco use.
Dr Jalaa Taher, manager of con-communicable diseases at Haad, noted that screening, vaccinations and smoking cessation will help reduce mortality for cancers.
"It is unfortunate to note that while cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths in Abu Dhabi, it is highly preventable. Simple lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, adopting a healthy diet, engaging in more exercise and getting vaccinations can minimise the risk of people acquiring this condition," she said.
As the second cancer killer in the emirate, lung cancer prevention is included for the first time in this year's campaign.
According to Dr Taher, smokers as well as those who quit smoking between the ages of 55-79, are at high risk for lung cancer and should go for screening especially those who have been smoking two packs a day for 15 years and one pack a day for 30 years.
Tobacco use is the most risk factor for cancer causing 22 per cent of global cancer deaths and 71 per cent of global lung cancer deaths.
Screening facilities
As part of the Cancer Wave campaign, a list of screening facilities is available at www.haad.ae/simplycheck for different cancer types for free or at discounted rates.
The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, Seha, has partnered with Haad to provide several services starting with its mobile mammogram units to treatment by cancer specialists at Tawam Hospital.
"These include early detection, referral to experts and treatment of advanced cases," Dr Ali Al Obaidli, chief clinical officer at Seha, told Khaleej Times.
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