Daughters’ Marriage Prospects Top Concern for Woman with Cancer

By Hana Abu Shareb
As a nurse, Hana Abu Shareb, Health authority Abu Dhabi has worked with many people with cancer for the past eight years. She shared with the Partnership how one patient’s reaction to a breast cancer diagnosis has really stayed with her.

“I worked with a 45-year-old woman who was shocked to receive a breast cancer diagnosis. Her shock quickly changed to concern for her daughters who she felt would lose many marriage opportunities based on her diagnosis. While this is not unusual in our culture—not just for breast cancer but for any life-threatening disease--I was still surprised to hear her voice this as her primary concern.

Women, especially mothers, regularly put their needs behind the needs of their families. But, because this woman shared her concerns with me I am prepared to discuss this with other women and better guide them in the next steps for referral and treatment. I do not know how things ended up with this courageous woman because she returned to her homeland. However, her impact on me continues to benefit others who receive the same diagnosis.”