In 2018, 28-year-old Sifna found a lump in her breast and went to a local doctor in her hometown in India. She was dismissed without a proper examination, with the doctor assuming she was too young to have breast cancer.
“My younger son was 3 at the time, and I had breastfed him for two full years, just like my older son,” she shared. “The doctor said I had no risk factors and it was impossible for someone my age to develop breast cancer.”
Her family suggested she try naturopathy and other holistic treatments, which she continued for a month before deciding to seek further medical advice. “When I returned to the doctor, I was diagnosed with advanced stage 3 cancer,” she said. “It was aggressive, but the only relief was that it hadn’t spread to other organs.”
A Worrying Rise in Younger Patients
Doctors in the UAE are noticing a significant increase in breast cancer among younger women, including cases like Sifna’s. “There is definitely a trend of younger women being diagnosed with breast cancer,” said Dr. Taghreed Almahmeed, Consultant Breast Surgeon at Al Zahra Hospital in Dubai.
“Many of these women are in their 30s or early 40s, often balancing careers and young families. This concerning shift highlights the need for early detection and increased awareness, even among younger women who don’t see themselves at risk.”
Increased Awareness Leading to Earlier Diagnosis
According to Dr. Tasneem Mohamad Nour Abu El Foul, Specialist General & Laparoscopic Surgeon at Aster Hospital Sharjah, the rise in younger diagnoses is partly due to better awareness among women.
“Today, we have a more educated population,” she said. “Even younger women go for check-ups or consult a physician if they notice any changes.”
Dr. Tasneem shared a recent case of a patient in her early 30s. “After hearing about breast cancer in awareness campaigns, she detected a lump in her breast but was initially scared to visit the doctor. But after repeatedly hearing about the benefits of early detection and the high success rate of early treatment, she gathered the courage to come see me. She completed her treatment and is now doing well.”
Dr. Tasneem urged women to overcome their fears. “Eighty-five percent of breast complaints and lumps are benign and not cancerous. However, if a woman sees any change, such as discharge from the nipples, blood, or a change in breast shape, she must consult a doctor immediately. It’s always safer to get checked.”
Increasing Cases of Aggressive Breast Cancer
Dr. Taghreed also highlighted a worrying trend of more aggressive types of breast cancer among younger women. “I’m noticing more cases of aggressive types, like triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancers,” she said.
“Triple-negative breast cancer doesn’t respond to common hormonal treatments, making it harder to treat. HER2-positive breast cancer involves a specific protein that makes tumors grow faster, but it can be targeted with specialized therapies.”
Dr. Taghreed added that she is seeing an increase in patients without any family history of breast cancer, which points to the potential role of environmental and lifestyle factors. “There’s also a trend of earlier detection, leading to more cancers being caught early.
Many women are also choosing preventive surgeries, like mastectomies, especially those who test positive for genetic mutations. This shift suggests a growing emphasis on proactive health measures.”
A Journey of Recovery
After two years of rigorous treatment, including a mastectomy and reconstruction surgery, Sifna finally recovered from HER2-positive breast cancer.
She had no family history or specific risk factors, and even genetic mutation tests came back negative. In 2020, she achieved her childhood dream of moving to Dubai, where she now works as a teacher.
