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Dubai: Most Emirati women were reluctant to learn how to conduct breast self-examinations, an important step in detecting breast cancer early, say staff onboard the Pink Bus.
The Pink Bus, a joint initiative between the Ministry of Health, Welcare Hospital and Procter and Gamble, began touring the UAE from October 9, stopping at supermarkets, malls, schools and parks to spread awareness and teach women how to protect themselves. The tour will end on November 4.
UAE women seemed embarrassed about examining their breasts said Dr Ottmar Schmidt, marketing manager at Welcare World, which provided the medical staff who did the health education on board the bus.
"Emirati women were only happy to receive the information next to the bus; they were not interested in boarding the bus to be examined," he added.
He also said a few women were not interested to discuss breast cancer when nurses and activists on board the bus tried to approach them.
Another interesting finding was men's interest in learning more about the disease. Dr Schmidt said they were interested because their mother or partner has had breast cancer, while others wanted to be educated in case someone they loved developed it.
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