Background and Context:
A big challenge in the United Arab Emirates is the social reticence surrounding the topic of cancer. Concerted efforts by Pink Caravan medical teams to educate public is breaking ground in mobilizing communities to seek screening and treatment. Over 4 years, 35 medicals performed 28,091 clinical breast examinations, 21,560 female and 6,531 male
Aim:
Pink Caravan launched in 2011 aiming to clinically screening 5,000+ patients annually per 10 day ride
Strategy/Tactics:
Every year over 150 experienced horse riders cross all 7 Emirates, gathering support across sectors: schools, universities, corporations and royalty. The real impact is created by Pink Caravan’s mobile clinics that accompany the 300km ride, conducting free early detection breast cancer centers en-route, offering screening and awareness.
Programme/Policy Process:
Activities aren’t limited to the ride, numerous activations take place throughout the year to ensure access to services. The final calendar for October 2014 set at 3 University and 32 Corporate Wellness Days.
Outcomes/What was learned:
Pink Caravan in collaboration with Canadian University of Dubai, published in the 'International Journal of Research Studies in Biosciences (IJRSB) Volume 2, Issue 3, April 2014, PP 8-13 ISSN 2349-0357 (Print) & ISSN 2349-0365 (Online) www.arcjournals.org'. Titled: 'A Study of Women’s Behavior and Attitude towards Breast Cancer Screening Examinations in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates' co-authored by Dr. Rami El Khatib, School of Environment and Health Sciences.
This study was conducted to address the behavior and attitude of 496 women of different socio-demographic characteristic towards breast cancer screening in the UAE. While 236 women (48 %) from this study were referred to mammogram / ultrasound, only 88 women responded, requiring more health education, awareness and health support.
Therefore the study helped shape the October 2014 campaign planning, latest results will be available at the World Cancer Congress in December.