Breast Cancer: Support and awareness in the workplace

Around the world, October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And, although significant advancements have been made in the detection and treatment of breast cancer in recent years, fighting it still has long-lasting physical and emotional implications.

Read more to learn about breast cancer awareness, and how you can best support employees living with - and those who have overcome - the illness.

Breast cancer is a disease which continues to affect the lives of millions. Roughly 1.1 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and in 2020 it became the most commonly diagnosed cancer type in the world. It is also the most common cancer in the UAE and the most common amongst women in the GCC in general.

Who does breast cancer affect the most?

Across the GCC, diagnosis of breast cancer has increased over time - however, this is likely due to improvements in screening and access to healthcare.

Breast cancer can affect anyone. Women are significantly more likely to be affected by breast cancer than men. However, men can also develop the illness - in 2017, they accounted for 1.1% of all breast cancer cases in the UAE.

Age is another important factor when considering the effect of breast cancer. In the UAE, the majority of breast cancer cases typically occur in women younger than 50 years, a decade earlier than in Western countries.

What causes breast cancer?

The causes of breast cancer are still not fully understood. However, links have been made to lifestyle factors such as obesity and alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, some causes - such as age and family history - are unavoidable.

How serious is it?

The detection and treatment of breast cancer in the UAE have come a long way in the past 20 years.

Today, if found at the early stage, 98% of patients in the UAE will survive breast cancer. What’s more, by 2025, the UAE is set to reduce cancer mortality by nearly 18%.

Nevertheless, early detection - and swift treatment - remain as vital as ever. Encouraging dialogue and awareness around breast cancer, including self-checking and understanding the symptoms is as important as ever.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

People who experience any of the following symptoms should consult a doctor:

• A lump in the breast, or under their arm

• Change in the size, shape or appearance of the breast or nipple

• Redness on the skin of the breast

• ‘Pitting’ of the skin on the breast (where it feels like the skin of an orange)

• Nipple discharge

How can it be treated?

Overall, breast cancer treatment is very advanced in the GCC, and the latest international guidelines and treatment modalities are followed. These include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.

Patients might need to have just one of these treatments or a combination, depending on the stage of the cancer. Some of these treatments are outpatient (day treatments), whilst others will require a hospital stay.

Life after treatment

Living with breast cancer can be a daunting and isolating experience - however, the physical and psychological impact of breast cancer can continue long after the final treatment.

As an employer, there are several things you can do to improve awareness and understanding of breast cancer and support your employees who have experienced the illness:

• Promote awareness and self-checking for early detection

A recent study revealed that general understanding and awareness of breast cancer causes and symptoms were lower than expected in the GCC, as was knowledge about performing self-examinations.

Ensure your female employees have the knowledge and know-how to perform monthly checks themselves. Organizations, such as Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) in the UAE and the Qatar Cancer Society in Qatar, have a wealth of online resources which could be shared in women’s spaces within your company.

You can also encourage your employees to book regular mammograms, by allowing additional leave for screening appointments. These are available at certain hospitals and medical centers. Organizations such as FoCP also run regular mobile clinics across the UAE, which are quick and convenient. The UAE’s National Guidelines For Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis in the UAE recommend starting at age 40 years, with mammography to be done every two years.

• Raise awareness amongst all members of staff - not just women

Cancer can be an incredibly difficult topic to address - but doing so can build awareness and, ultimately, save lives.

This is why building a workplace culture which empowers all of its employees to stay informed about the illness really matters. Forming charity partnerships, and taking part in fundraising initiatives such as Al Jalila Foundation’s #PINKtober, are great ways to foster understanding whilst contributing to a good cause and boosting team morale.

• Build a supportive workplace

By keeping your whole team engaged and aware of the implications of breast cancer, you can start to cultivate an even more supportive workplace where colleagues with - or who have had cancer - feel more understood and valued.

In addition to their treatment coverage, be sure to make them aware of the additional support available through your corporate healthcare plan. Services such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and access to tele-health services and counseling can make a real difference to those who are experiencing a life-changing, chronic illness.

However, it’s also worth remembering that cancer doesn’t just affect the individual - it affects their loved ones, too. If an employee is experiencing breast cancer second-hand, through a spouse or family member, reach out and make sure that their emotional needs are also being met. Perhaps they could also benefit from counseling, or perhaps they require flexible working arrangements to accompany the patient to appointments.

Breast cancer and your corporate healthcare plan

Across the GCC, treatment for breast cancer can vary in cost depending on the type of treatment, its duration, and where the treatment is completed.

This is one of the reasons why, for prospective employees, comprehensive healthcare is the most attractive corporate benefit - and it pays for businesses to partner with a healthcare provider that offers comprehensive care and fully tailored solutions.

About GulfCare

GulfCare is a leading provider of corporate healthcare plans in the UAE and throughout the GCC. We partner with businesses of all sizes to provide bespoke plans, tailored to the unique needs of their company and workforce.

To learn more about our plans, and to request a complimentary quote, contact us today.