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DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY |
GMC “Pink Ribbon” Campaign
November 25 – 29, 2007 |
| October is celebrated as Breast Cancer Awareness month worldwide every year. To commemorate the breast cancer awareness month, Department of Surgery organized the GMC “Pink Ribbon” Campaign. The five day event which was held during November 25-29, 2007, was a runaway success. |
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| The aim of the campaign was to spread awareness about breast cancer. |
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The objectives of the program were to educate women about : |
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- Risk factors of breast cancer
- Presentations of breast cancer
- Prevention of breast cancer
- Screening program
- Breast self examination
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“Every year, thousands of women die of breast cancer. Knowledge of danger signs, regular breast self examination and early screening programs are valuable aids in fighting this deadly disease, the breast cancer”, said Prof. Gita Ashok Raj, Dean and Professor of Pathology on this occasion. She congratulated the Department of Surgery for organizing the breast cancer awareness campaign. |
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“A women’s wellbeing is of utmost importance; as I believe that a healthy women makes a healthy family, a healthy family makes a healthy nation and healthy nations make a healthy universe. I take pride as a man and as a surgeon to highlight and create awareness about a very important woman’s health issue and number one killer – breast cancer!” said Dr. Manda Venkatramana, Associate Dean, Associate Professor of Surgery and the Organizing Chairman of this campaign. |
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| Kick starting the campaign Dr.Manda released a booklet on “Breast self examination”, which is a patient education material available in English and Arabic. It highlights the correct method to perform breast self examination in order to know what is normal so that any abnormality is detected early and brought to the attention of the clinician by the woman. Early diagnosis of cancer leads to complete cure. |
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| Each of the 5 days had, apart from didactic lectures, a video presentation on breast self examination for the female members, a hands-on demonstration of the correct method of breast self examination on manikins under supervision by trained experts and a very interactive question and answer sessions with panelists comprising of multidisciplinary team of experts in the management of breast cancer from GMC Hospital. |
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Day One |
The program started with a faculty symposium on day one titled “Staying Abreast” held in GMC Hospital lecture hall. True to the spirit of multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer management which produces the best outcome, the latest trends in the incidence and management of breast cancer were delivered as didactic lectures to a jam-packed audience comprising of GMCA & GMCH faculty members. |
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Dr.Elsheba Mathew
Professor and Head, department of Community Medicine spoke on “Today-tomorrow of breast cancer” highlighting the incidence and prevalence of breast cancer, Dr. Joyce Jose from department of Pathology spoke on “Genomics of breast cancer”; Dr. Tarek Fowzy from department of Radiology spoke on “Imaging modalities of the breast” and emphasized on screening methods, Dr. Jainendra Kumar, General Surgeon highlighted “The recent advances in surgery” and Dr. Mufeed Raoof, Psychiatrist concluded the session with a lecture on “Psychological aspects of breast cancer”. The session was chaired by Dr. Manda Venkatramana. |
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Day Two |
The second day of the campaign was held in GMCA. The Resident doctors made a wonderful presentation on “The landscape of breast cancer” for the MBBS & BPT students of the college. Compered by Dr.Afraa Mohammed Rafiq, Dr.Sonia Shashidaran spoke on “Incidence, etiology and risk factors of breast cancer”, Dr.Kareema Mohammed spoke on “Early detection, early cure”; Dr.Jessica Semoes elaborated on the “Metastatic work-up and treatment options”. Department of Physiotherapy made its presence felt with Ms.Sadia Tabrez’s presentation of “Rehabilitation of post-mastectomy patients”. It was indeed a learning experience for the youngsters not only as students but as young women as well. |
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Day Three |
The Nurses participated in a big way in the campaign and a Nurse’s workshop was held as part of the campaign on day three at GMC OPD lecture hall. Dressed in pink in keeping with the spirit of the occasion, the Nurses gave a colorful presentation on “Role of nurses in the management of breast cancer”. Ms.Susy Vargheese spoke on “Awareness and prevention of breast cancer” after an introductory address by Ms.Jane.C.Coutinho, Nursing Superintendent. Ms.Meryl Pais lectured on “Pre-mastectomy preparation” and Ms.Rani.A.Vergheese on “Post-mastectomy care”. Ms.Merlin Thomas, Nursing Supervisor, gave a focused talk on “Holistic nursing management for breast cancer”. Ms.Shereen Sam, Vice-Principal, BPT Program concluded the session with emphasizing the importance of “Rehabilitation of breast cancer patient”. |
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Day Four |
The campaign entered the public interface on the fourth day with a public awareness seminar held at Body & Soul Health Club, Al Qusais, Dubai. About 50 women members of the health club had registered and attended this program and immensely benefited from it. Dr. Nada Othman Sidiq, Pathologist at GMCA, delivered a lucid presentation on “Are you aware of breast cancer?”, which was well received by the elite and educated audience. |
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Day Five |
The campaign was concluded with a public awareness seminar held on the fifth and final day at GMC Hospital lecture hall for the benefit of the general public, female administrative staff of GMCA & GMCH and our friendly neighborhood. Dr. Rizwana Sheikh from department of Community Medicine, with wide experience in mass breast cancer screening programs to her credit, gave a well appreciated and impressive presentation on “Are you aware of breast cancer?’ |
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Public Responce |
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The general public was impressed on the last two days by the subject presentation, video and hands-on demonstration on manikins of breast self-examination. They interacted actively by asking questions to the expert panelists comprising of Dr. Manda Venkatramana, Dr. Nada Othman, Dr. Rizwana Sheikh and Dr. Tarek Fowzy and were more enlightened about breast cancer at the end of the day. From the feedback we received at the end of each session of the campaign, it is satisfying to know that the goals and objectives we set out at the onset has been achieved, but certainly we believe it is not the end but the beginning of a long journey. |
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Our aim is to target a larger audience and create awareness about breast cancer so that the disease is detected at an early stage when it is 100% curable. |
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Contributions |
Dr. Afraa Mohammed Rafiq, Intern GMCH, was in the forefront of the campaign and worked relentlessly for the success of this program. Dr.Elsheba Mathew & Dr. Rizwana Sheikh, Department of Community Medicine contributed in a big way in planning the program and ensuring its success.
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The Ministry of Health has recognized and has granted accreditation |
The Ministry of Health has recognized this program and has granted accreditation. This is yet another effort by our hospital to provide high quality educational awareness to the public on important health matters and complement the great efforts of the Ministry of Health-UAE in addressing various impending health issues in UAE. |
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The success of this campaign is a true tribute to womanhood. |
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WHAT THEY SAID.......... |
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"This campaign was extremely well organised and very informative. Women should be educated about breast cancer and i am very happy that GMC Hospital has taken this step. I am looking forward to more such programs in the future. I also congratulate the organisers to have put up such an excellent show. Well done and keep it up!"
Mrs. Rath
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"The speaker just told us that the best prevention from breast cancer is awareness. I'm glad I attended this talk as i found it very helpful. Thank you.''
Mrs. Khan
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"I have only three things to say about today. Excellent video. Good presentation.Very well organised."
Mrs. P.M.
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"Thanks to the organisers for teaching us breast examination. It is very important and i will hopefully do it in the future."
Mrs. K.M.S
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