Event highlighted importance of early detection

United Arab Emirates, 05 February 2015: Aiming to raise awareness of male-specific cancers, Emirates Global Aluminium (“EGA”) recently hosted its first-ever Male Cancer Campaign on Monday 26 January 2015, as a forum to provide information to its employees on how to recognise the early symptoms as well as the treatment options available. Held in partnership with Friends of Cancer Patients (“FoCP”), the event featured representatives from the charity along with doctors from Khalifa Hospital and NMC Urocare, as well as EGA’s in-house medical team who collectively engaged with employees on the key health issues.

Focusing on lung, skin, prostate and testicular cancers in particular, the event encouraged open dialogue and knowledge. “Limited awareness of the symptoms and effects of male cancers is exacerbated by the cultural sensitivities surrounding the topic. The message we aimed to communicate to our employees through this MaleCancer Campaign is that early detection is key. It is important to create a conversation that enables men to recognise the signs and take action accordingly. With males accounting for 94 per cent of our 7,000-strong workforce, EGA felt a responsibility to bring attention to the subject,” said Khalid Buhumaid (Senior Vice President: Communications & Government Relations at EGA).

During the event, FoCP shared insights from their work in the region and encouraged anyone concerned to visit a doctor. The medical panel also conducted presentations specific to each health issue and interacted with attendees in small breakout sessions, thus giving employees the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the issues that concern them most.

Buhumaid added, “EGA offers a dedicated medical service to all employees, so anyone with health-related concerns is assured of access to medical consultation. Our intention with this campaign was not to alarm our employees but rather to provide helpful information.”

The response to the Male Cancer Campaign 2015 exceeded expectations, with over 300 employees attending the sessions conducted at EGA’s Al Taweelah and Jebel Ali sites. Inspired by the number of attendees, and as part of an on-going commitment to the wellbeing of its employees, EGA plans to hold the event annually.