Most breast cancer patients have no family history, warns Dubai surgeon

Dubai: A Dubai breast surgeon warns that many breast cancer patients have no family history of the disease, which could prevent them from getting potentially life-saving screenings. Dr Taghreed Almahmeed, who co-leads a hospital’s Breast Center, said that around 85 percent of women she diagnoses with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.

The misconception that a lack of family history means a woman is protected from the disease is common, she says, but it's not true. Screening at the age of 40, regardless of family history, is crucial, she advises. Regular mammograms can detect cancer before symptoms appear, but women should also be aware of other warning signs like skin dimpling, nipple changes, redness, swelling, or persistent pain.

Fear of treatment may also lead women to delay medical consultations. For early-stage breast cancer, treatment can be less extensive, and advancements in surgery provide better options with quicker recovery times. Despite the advances, robotic surgery does not guarantee better outcomes and the surgeon's expertise still plays a significant role.