UAE health data shows 40% of breast cancer cases diagnosed late

Healthcare providers in the UAE are urging women to shift toward proactive screening as new data shows over 40% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced stages. According to the latest UAE National Cancer Registry report, the country recorded 1,445 cases of invasive breast cancer in 2023, accounting for 36.6% of all invasive cancers diagnosed in women that year. Late-stage diagnosis remains high Research presented by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) analyzed 2,113 patients at Tawam Hospital in Al Ain between 2018 and 2023. The study found that 42.3% of patients presented with stage III or IV disease. While this figure improved to 40.2% in 2023, medical experts note that the prevalence of late-stage diagnosis significantly impacts survival rates and treatment options. The urgency for early detection is supported by international clinical data. The US National Cancer Institute reports a five-year relative survival rate of 100% when breast cancer is localized at the time of diagnosis. This rate drops to 87.5% once the disease spreads regionally and falls sharply to 33.8% if the cancer reaches distant parts of the body. National screening guidelines UAE national health guidelines advise women aged 40 and above to undergo a mammogram every two years. On Tuesday, 13 October, health officials reiterated that women with family histories of the disease or known genetic mutations should consult clinicians for earlier screening schedules. The call for…