Breast cancer screening world expert says earlier diagnosis of disease in Middle East critical, ahead of Dubai visit

Dr László Tabár, one of the world’s leading experts in the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, has called for women and medical authorities in the region to focus on early detection of the disease, ahead of his first visit to Dubai to provide advanced training to regional medical professionals.

Breast cancer is a leading killer of Arab women. Studies show that women from the region on average develop breast cancer up to a decade earlier in life than those from most other parts of the world, Dr Tabár said.

Dr Tabár is Professor Emeritus of Radiology at Falun Central Hospital in Sweden. His four decades of pioneering research have laid the foundation for early breast cancer detection through modern mammographic screening.

“About three-quarters of breast cancers in the Arab region are only detected at an advanced stage when it is very difficult for physicians to control the disease,” said Dr Tabár. “My message is that in too many cases women die unnecessarily at a young age.

“Although one in 10 Arab girls born today will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives, with early diagnosis this disease is very often curable and with treatment that is much less invasive.”

As a clinician, Dr Tabár has applied his expertise to the interpretation of well over one million mammograms, experience he has passed on to fellow medical professionals through training worldwide.

Next month Dr Tabár will lead a course in Dubai for doctors and radiology technicians on the capture and interpretation of mammograms. Mammography is specialised medical imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray system to see inside the breast.

The course is supported by Fujifilm, a world leader in Digital Mammography technology, as part of its support to the continuous improvement of regional medical capability. It will take place at the Iranian hospital in Dubai from 21-24 March.

Fujifilm will provide 25 mammography workstations for use in practical exercises at the event.

A 2014 study by scientists at the United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain found that even in the UAE with its sophisticated healthcare system, more than 65 per cent of breast cancers were only diagnosed at an advanced stage. Some 71 per cent of tumours were initially self-detected by women rather than first discovered through screening.

“Breast cancer screening technology has developed very considerably in recent decades and is now very accurate, particularly when we use a combination of mammography, ultrasound, MRI and clinical examination,” said Dr Tabár. “We can train doctors and technicians to use the technology, but as a society we also have a tremendous responsibility to train ourselves to expect and demand regular cancer screening.

“It is far better for women to reassure themselves regularly that they do not have this disease, than seek a test only when they fear they might.”

Fujifilm has a long term commitment to helping regional and global medical professionals to improve standards of breast cancer detection. The company has supported with world experts such as Dr Tabár and US-based Dr Michael Linver on continuing medical education events for the past five years.

In the region this has included previous events in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Dr Tabár will be joined delivering the course by Dr Mats Ingvarsson, a leading expert in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Elie Harfouche, a Radiology Technician, both from Falun Central Hospital’s Department of Mammography in Sweden.

Medical doctors and radiology technicians can learn more about the course at http://www.mammographyed.com/course-list/eventdetail.aspx?Id=9773&vt=0&sd=3/22/2016