| e-newsletter  |  October - 2012  |  nmc ian ’s  mon th ly   communica t ion

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Dr. B. R Shetty with HE Zaid Al Siksek, CEO of Health Authority, Abu Dhabi and other dignitaries during the formal opening of 6th edition of the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress (ADMC 2012) at

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

NMC Healthcare’s participation in ADMC 2012

NMC Healthcare participated in the recently concluded Abu Dhabi Medical Congress 2012, with the objectives to update medical knowledge and practices, to share lessons learned as well as to promote collaboration and links between healthcare professionals, providers and regulators.

monthEmployee

of the

CEO

Dr. B.R. Shetty

Mr. Mohammed Avunhi-FacilityMr. Jiby Joseph - Nursing

Ms. Shela S. Orbe - Reception

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The most common and easy method is known as self breast examination

“For this, women 20 years and older are advise to examine their breast once a month for any abnormalities, such as blood in the nipples or a painless lump on the breast or armpits. The best time to perform this check is a week after the monthly period finishes, when the breast are not too tender,” said Dr. Balaji Balasubramaniam, surgical

oncologist at the NMC Specialty Hospital Abu Dhabi.In addition, mammograms are recommended every two years for women over the age of 40 years. This test, which uses x-rays, helps pick up early changes in the breast even before a cancerous lump can form, the doctors said.

In selected cases, such as in patients with a family history or genetic predispositions towards breast cancer, an

ultrasound or MRI could be recommended.

“Finally, women should also undergo a clinical examinations every year after the age of 40 years,” Dr. Balasubramaniam said.When cancer is suspected, physicians usually perform a core needle biopsy, a procedure in which a needle removes some abnormal breast tissue for further analysis.

Breast Cancer DiagnosisDr. Balaji Balasubramanian, MBBS, MS, DNB, FRCS, MCh.,

Specialist Onco Surgeon, NMC Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi.

Staff Report. Published: 21.28 October 18, 2012

A number of methods that help detect breast cancer are currently recommended for women

NMC Healthcare’s Specialist Onco Surgeon gets featured in Gulf News and Abu Dhabi week magazine.

ABU DHABI Week sits down with Dr Balaji Balasubramanian, special oncologist surgeon at NMC Speciality Hospital to find out how small lifestyle changes can help to prevent the onset of breast cancer. 1. Maintain a healthy body weight (BMI less than 25). Weight gain in midlife has been shown to significantly increase breast cancer risk. An elevated BMI also increases the risk of post-menopausal 2. Minimise or avoid alcohol. Studies have shown

that consuming more than one beverage a day can increase breast cancer risk by 20 to 25 percent.3. Consume as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Include cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower); dark leafy greens (collards, kale, spinach); carrots and tomatoes. Eat more citrus, berries and cherries. 4. Regular exercise. Physical activity will help you maintain a healthy weight. The American Cancer Society recommends 45 to 60 minutes of exercise at least five days a week.5. Choose the right fats. Minimise consumption of omega-6 fats (Sunflower, Safflower, Corn and cottonseed oils), saturated fats and trans fats. Maximise your intake of omega-3 fats from oily fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and herring). Consume monounsaturated oils (canola, olive oil, nuts/seeds, avocados).6. Choose your carbohydrates carefully.Minimise consumption of the high glycemic index - white flour, white rice, white potatoes, sugar and products containing them. These foods trigger hormonal

changes that promote cellular growth in breast tissue. Replace with whole grains and beans/legumes. 7. Minimise exposure to pharmacologic oestrogens and xeno-oestrogens. Do not take prescription oestrogens unless medically indicated. Also avoid oestrogen-like compounds found in environmental pollutants, such as pesticides and industrial chemicals.8. Discontinue hormone therapy. Long-term combination hormone therapy increases the risk of breast cancer. If you›re taking hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms, ask your doctor about other options. 9. Avoid exposure to environmental pollution. Research suggests a link between breast cancer and exposure to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in vehicle exhaust and air pollution.10. Stay positive. Engage in self-nurturing behaviours. Get adequate sleep (seven to eight hours per night). The mind-body associations with breast cancer are significant.

TYPICALLY, WHEN we think about the incidence of breast cancer we think about how it affects women. However breast cancer in men, although rare, exists.“It is the last thing we think about when we think of breast cancer. However biologically, the outcome is the same, stage by stage. As there is typically no fat in the male breast, the underlying structure is easily invaded, so because of the rarity and invasion into

the adjacent muscle, it has the tendency to become a locally advanced cancer in males,” says Dr Balaji Balasubramanian.Most cases of male breast cancer are diagnosed in men between 60 and 70 years of age. Other risk factors include obesity, family history of breast cancer (in both male and female relatives) and radiation

exposure. Symptoms for male breast cancer include painless lumps in the breast area, discharge from the nipple or nipple retraction, swelling of the breast, lumps under the arm or ulcers in the skin of the breast. If you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, we urge you to go to your local doctor to be examined.

Prevention is key

Male Breast Cancer

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NMC Healthcare’s World Heart Day Campaign run for over 9 days, in the last week of Sep 2012,screening over 5,993 people across the Emirates in Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ain & Abu Dhabi.

Around 6000 screened in over 9 days

As a Corporate Social Responsibility, NMC Healthcare has specially designed a program to raise awareness on Breast Cancer amongst its employee by offering A FREE MAMMOGRAPHY SCREENING TEST to all female employees above 40 years of age.

NMC Healthcare is also working with corporates and social group to generate awareness regarding breast cancer, its early warning signs, self-detection, treatment and battling the stigma against the disease in the UAE. A special 50 % discount in October and 30% discount in November will be offered to all cash patients on mammogram across NMC Specialty Hospital in Dubai, Al Ain & Abu Dhabi.

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Mr. Ahmed M Hassan, representing NMC Specialty Hospital Abu Dhabi received a letter of appreciation and memento from Engineer Abdul Aziz Zurub, Director of Health, Safety & Environment, Municipality of Abu Dhabi City.

NMC Healthcare organized ‘Your Heart Health’ event for Municipality of Abu Dhabi.

NMC Healthcare organized a three day health awareness event titled “‘Your Heart Health’ for the employees of Abu Dhabi Municipality offering a wide array of free medical tests. The event was held for one day at the Head Office of the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City, and two other days in each of Al Wathba Municipal Center and Al Shahama Municipal Center.

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HUM FM 106.2, on 13th October 2012, invited Dr. Mohammed Iqbal, MBBS, MS, General Surgeon from NMC Hospital, Deira to their Radio Clinic talk show.

Dr. Iqbal spoke about “Appendicitis and Anorectal conditions such as Piles, Anal Fissure and Anal fistula”

NMC Healthcare’s

NMC healthcare organized a health awareness program in Radio Hello FM’s Studio

Health awareness for Hello FM’s employee

As part of NMC Healthcare - World Heart Awareness Campaign

Congratulations to all the Heart Smarts..!

1 Sathiya Samuel 2 Jennieline Ricafrente3 Bopanna 4 Nikhil Hussain 5 Shammer

NMC Health

care

SMART HEA

RT

CONTEST’s

winn

er

Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) in partnership with the Children’s National Medical Centre, Washington, DC, recognized NMC Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi for successfully implementing the Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening Program.

NMC Specialty Hospital recognized for successfully implementing CCHD Screening Program

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Sta f f Promot ions

Dr. Somansu Basu, MBBS, MD, Specialist Microbiologist and Pathologist, NMC Specialty Hospital, AL Ain on “Recent Advances in PCR Technology”.

NMC Specialty Hospital Al Ain’sCME on Recent Advances in PCR Technology

If you have a news, story you would like to share with the rest of the nmc family, an interesting hobby, great photo or even just a comment/suggestion please email to Praveen Pillai,at praveen.p@nmc.ae

CME of the Month

NMC Trading introduces

Health & Life home care products -

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