Tawam Hospital, in affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine and part of the SEHA healthcare system, joins the international community in commemorating World Cancer Day 2015 with a host of activities happening on February 5 at the hospital premises and polyclinics.

This year, the World Cancer Day campaign focuses on the theme: Not Beyond Us which highlights a positive and proactive approach to the fight against cancer as well as reiterating that there are solutions within patients reach. The awareness campaign also engages the individual, community and government in solidarity to make use of solutions available eventually catalyzing positive change in the way cancer is understood.

Following the goal of World Cancer Day and as a regional referral center for oncology, Tawam Hospital will spearhead community lectures, educational campaign amongst patients and their families and blood bank drive on February 5. The hospitals program will focus on promoting choosing healthy lifestyle, early detection, achieving treatment for all and maximizing quality of life for all. Tawam Hospital also reiterates that the public be vigilant about their health and to seek medical advice when any of the following signs are present: changes in bowel or bladder habits, a sore throat that persists, unusual bleeding or discharge, thickening or lump in breast or other parts of the body, indigestion or difficulty swallowing, obvious changes in warts or moles, and, nagging cough or hoarseness.

Mr. Gregory F. Schaffer, CEO at Tawam Hospital said: With all our activities at the hospital, we are happy that the community is one with us in this program. We are also thankful for the cooperation of Mohammad Assaf in visiting Tawam Pediatrics and Adults Oncology units on February 4, 2015 to show his support for the cause. We are truly honored and our young patients will be more than happy to see an inspiration like him. Assaf is a famous Palestinian singer and Arab Idol second season winner. He is a goodwill ambassador for peace by The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He was also named as Ambassador of culture and arts by the Palestinian government.

As the regions leading oncology institution, we are also actively involved in awareness campaigns as a tool to combat cancer. It is our goal to have an informed public so that we can beat cancer before it becomes active. Cancer is not something that can overcome us if we can detect at an early stage. When there are more people aware of the risks and early signs of cancer, we will be able to fight it. At Tawam, we also make sure we have the best practitioners to help care for our patients and we invest in facilities that will provide excellent treatment options, said Dr Mohammed Ali Jaloudi, Chair of Oncology Department at Tawam Hospital.

Tawams Oncology Center is the main provider of comprehensive cancer care in the UAE and has been in the forefront of cancer treatment in the Gulf region. Patients have access to the latest technologies to diagnose, stage and monitor cancers, including high-resolution spiral CT scan, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, PET-CT scans through Tawam Molecular Imaging Center and state-of-the-art pathology services.

Most notable of Tawams Oncology Center divisions are: Medical Oncology/Hematology division which can admit over 1,800 patients per year; Radiation Oncology which receives an average of 600 new patient referrals each year; Radiotherapy treatment; Palliative Care Program which is unique in the UAE; Surgical Oncology; and, the renowned Tawam Breast Care Center which performs over 3,000 screenings and diagnostic mammograms each year with an average of 4,000 patient attendees annually.

A critical component of Tawam Cancer Center is the multidisciplinary approach to patient care led by the Cancer Services Committee, a standing committee of the Medical Staff. There is also a Tumor Board which reviews case referrals to ensure that each patient receives the appropriate care as agreed by a panel of clinicians from all relevant specialities.

Patients at Tawam Oncology Center are supported by Psychiatrists, Patient Counsellors, Occupational Therapists and Social Workers who participate actively in its multidisciplinary patient care process.

Tawam Hospital is part of the SEHA Health System owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.