A UAE healthcare group recently launched a campaign to provide free screening for colorectal cancer. Titled 'Screen and Survive', the campaign has been started by Zulekha Healthcare Group in partnership with Ewings to provide free screening for colorectal cancer.

Residents and visitors are welcome to visit the Group's hospitals in Dubai and Sharjah till April 27 to benefit from the service.

According to authorities, the campaign is aimed at supporting and achieving the UAE's national target of decreasing cancer fatalities in the country every year.

As per a book published by Dr Humaid Al Shamsi, Director of Oncology at Burjeel Medical City and President of the Emirates Oncology Society, colorectal cancer is a highly prominent cancer among females, with about 5.7 percent of women in the UAE suffering from the illness.

Zanubia Shams, Co-Chairperson, Zulekha Healthcare Group and Farid Samji, CEO of Ewings, exchanged agreements to mark the collaboration aimed at raising awareness about early detection and prevention of the disease through early screenings.

After the campaign launch, a panel of experts from Zulekha Hospital Group in Dubai and Sharjah presented and discussed the various advancements in cancer treatments and procedures.

Shams underlined the success of Zulekha Hospital in leading health awareness campaigns in UAE over several years. She further expressed happiness over other organisations joining the Group's efforts to spread awareness on deadly diseases.

"Individuals have benefited from these screenings. Our campaigns serve as an important reminder to keep a check on our health," Shams added.

Shamji also affirmed that giving back to the community through such initiatives to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the community has been a critical pillar of Ewings' CSR framework.

A survey conducted by Abu Dhabi-based Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) reported that about 90 percent of UAE residents above the age of 40 years have never undergone screening for colorectal cancer before.

Significantly, colon cancer is the second most common cancer reported in the UAE and the second highest cause of death due to the disease.

In this regard, UAE doctors have urged men aged 40 and above to get screened for the illness, noting the findings of studies which underlined cancer occurs at an average age of 47. Health authorities also recommend people over the age of 40 to conduct a colonoscopy every 10 years for better health awareness.

 SOURCE: Khaleej Times

LINK: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/health/uae-hospital-group-offers-free-screening-for-colorectal-cancer