Breast Cancer Awareness Event in Palestine Features Animated Film Fatenah

By Carol El-Jabari, U.S.-Middle East Partnership representative in the West Bank.

Patient’s Friends Society-Jerusalem and survivors from the Sunrise breast cancer support group held the first Palestinian Breast Cancer Awareness Event on Sunday, October 11th, at the Ramallah Cultural Palace. The goals were to raise awareness about the importance of early detection, celebrate life, and show how women are currently facing their diagnosis and treatment.

HE Majeda Al Masri, the Minister of Social Affairs, opened the day with an address on the importance of early detection. She then joined approximately 400 people in the March to Celebrate Life. Next, a lecture on early breast cancer detection was delivered by Dr. Sahar Araj Marzouka, an obstetrician/gynecologist. Several breast cancer survivors also shared their experiences with the audience.

Thanks to Dar Films and the World Health Organization they screened the film ‘Fatenah’ during the event. It’s the first Palestinian animated film and conveys the story of one young woman’s tragic breast cancer outcome. The film was well received and made quite an impact on the audience.

The day closed with classical music performances and a raffle.

The event participants came from all over the country--men, women, youth, and children. Thanks to the generosity of many supporters, many of the local businesses, but also TIPH (the temporary international presence in Hebron), the American Colony Hotel, and the Housing Bank ( Jordan), they were able to bus them to Ramallah—a first for many!

Preparing for Patient Friends Society's 11 October 2009 event- Photo Carol Jabari

Sunrise ladies signing the ‘celebrate life’ poster at Ramallah Cultural Palace on 11 October 2009-Photo Carol Jabari Read more!

Yemeni Women Embrace Breast Cancer Education Sessions

by Enas Abdo M. Mohsen, SOUL for the Development of Women and Children, Partnership Advocacy Grant Recipient


Before I started the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign in Yemen, I thought women, girls, and all Yemeni society wouldn’t listen to my breast cancer awareness information. I thought they wouldn’t care and would be afraid to talk about this disease because they think if you have breast cancer or cancer in general, you will not be cured and die. Cancer is a sudden disease and there aren't enough early diagnoses of it. So I was thinking, “How can I convince Yemeni women that breast cancer isn't like what they have been thinking?”

Before I started the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign in Yemen, I thought women, girls, and all Yemeni society wouldn’t listen to my breast cancer awareness information. I thought they wouldn’t care and would be afraid to talk about this disease because they think if you have breast cancer or cancer in general, you will not be cured and die. Cancer is a sudden disease and there aren't enough early diagnoses of it. So I was thinking, “How can I convince Yemeni women that breast cancer isn't like what they have been thinking?”

I was so afraid to start the session. “Nobody will come,” I said to my direct manager—but I didn't have a choice. I had to host the session.
At the first session, I looked at the whole health center and counted the number of ladies that arrived to listen. Over time the numbers of ladies increased. They didn't leave. They were listening attentively and asking very important questions. They wanted to have earlier clinical diagnoses for breast cancer by our health workers. Many of them told us they will host awareness sessions for their families, neighbors, and friends. I couldn't believe all of the interest in breast cancer. It was very exciting and amazing. "I must be dreaming," I said to myself. All of the women thanked us for the awareness sessions and asked, "Why didn't you come and host the sessions before?”

I learned many lessons from this campaign. I learned how I can be positive, strong, and do something good that will be a benefit to my society. No words can explain what I feel and how happy I am. I hope this small article will help. I would be grateful to receive your comments and share experiences with you. Thank you very much.


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Pink for a Day: Free Mammograms Save Lives in Egypt

By Sean Lena


There are a number of obstacles to getting women to schedule annual screening mammograms. Dr. Hanan Gewefel, a radiologist and the Director of Breast Imaging at the Woman and Fetal Imaging Clinic (WAFI) in Cairo, says the primary obstacle is fear—of both the procedure and of possibly learning you may have cancer. The next obstacle is the stigma associated with a breast cancer diagnosis. And, the cost of a mammogram discourages many Egyptian women from getting screened more than once.

To address these obstacles, Dr. Gewefel founded Pink for a Day, a program that provides free mammograms once a week to disadvantaged women aged 40 and older. In addition, she makes these events more than just a medical appointment by offering “coffee mornings” to encourage groups of women to come together in support of one another.

During 2008, WAFI provided 839 free mammograms, with 33 women receiving a “suspicious” diagnosis, and 9 women diagnosed with cancer. By de-mystifying the screening process through weekly events and separate educational seminars, Dr. Gewefel hopes to increase the number of women who make mammograms a regular part of their health care.

Pink for a Day is funded by a number of local sponsors including health organizations, banks, pharmaceutical companies, and cosmetics companies. Dr. Gewefel promotes the program through advertisements in women’s magazines, but finds that word of mouth works best. To help ensure that women keep their appointments, she sends out appointment reminders via text messages and email.

Dr. Gewefel believes that free mammograms represent a first step towards a brighter future without breast cancer. Although sponsor support has recently decreased due to the worldwide economic situation, she hopes to continue serving these women for a long time to come.

For more information about the Pink for a Day program, visit the WAFI’s website (www.wafi-clinic.com) or contact Dr. Hanan Gewefel at drhanan@drhananclinic.com. Read more!

Breast Cancer Awareness Event in Alexandria Reaches Nearly 1,500 Women

By Hanaa Ismail

The following post was submitted by Hanaa Ismail, program coordinator at the Suzanne Mubarak Regional Center for Women’s Health and Development in Alexandria, Egypt.


To increase awareness about breast cancer and provide women with information about breast self-exams, we set up a stand at the Carrefour City Centre Shopping Mall in Alexandria, Egypt. For three days, from 10 a.m. to midnight, members of our team handed out brochures to women and, when the women asked, they were taught how to do a breast self examination.

Our stand was decorated with pink balloons and we gave out pink ribbons and pink sweets to women and their families. In addition, free mammograms were offered at our clinic. We had a large flow of requests for further consultations with physicians. Our team was pleased that we reached nearly 1,500 women through this event and we also received excellent media coverage from local news stations. Read more!

Partnership Expansion Activities in the West Bank and Gaza

By: Chris McKallagat, Country Lead, West Bank and Gaza

Chris McKallagat with Mariam Awad from Bethlehem University’s Faculty of Nursing and a member of the Partnership’s Advisory Planning Committee working to develop a breast cancer nursing training of trainers workshop in conjunction with the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS).

Recently, I traveled to the Palestinian territories to meet with key stakeholders, including the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health (MOH), to initiate Partnership expansion activities. Recognizing the leading role of the MOH, the Partnership’s activities will strengthen and complement the Palestinian institutional response to breast cancer and help raise awareness among women and families. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the Palestinian territories and too many lives are lost unnecessarily. In fact, breast cancer kills more women in the Palestinian territories annually than the next three most frequently diagnosed cancers combined.

In response, the Partnership supports an approach to addressing breast cancer that works to improve institutional capacities, such as training for health care professionals and capacity-building of local organizations, while at the same time raising awareness at the community level through grassroots advocacy support and community mobilization and education.

American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), will spearhead an initial set of activities on behalf of the Partnership to strengthen the ability of Palestinian public and private institutions to work collaboratively in the areas of breast cancer prevention and management. In order to truly make an impact on breast cancer in the Palestinian territories, it is clear that greater coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders is needed. With leadership from the MOH and support from the Partnership, Palestinian women and families will be equipped with greater resources to fight breast cancer. The U.S. has gained amazing ground over the past 25 years in decreasing breast cancer mortality by increasing awareness and improving early detection and screening. The Partnership is pleased to actively support Palestinian women in their fight back against breast cancer.

Check out the Partnership’s Baseline Assessment of Breast Cancer Awareness and Care: West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem
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Le Partenariat Indroduit un Programme Régional au Maroc lors d’une Table Ronde

Dans le cadre de l’extension de ses activités au Maroc, le Partenariat Etats-Unis – Moyen Orient pour la Sensibilisation et la Recherche sur le Cancer du Sein a tenu une table ronde Mardi le 23 Juin au Royal Mansour Le Meridien à Casablanca. Cette table ronde a été organisée en vue de lancer le Programme au Maroc et surtout d’établir le dialogue avec les professionnels du Cancer du sein et les associations actives dans le domaine. Ce fut la première fois au Maroc que les oncologues, les chercheurs, les psychiatres, les associations de lutte contre le cancer, les survivantes du cancer du sein se réunissent ensemble pour échanger sur une maladie qui concerne les femmes de toute classe et de tout niveau social.

La table ronde a été inaugurée par Rob Jackson, chargé d’affaires à l’Ambassade des Etats-Unis d’Amérique, qui a exprimé le soutien de l’Ambassade au Partenariat Etats-Unis – Moyen Orient pour la Sensibilisation et la Recherche sur le Cancer du Sein et son soutien personnel et celui de son épouse étant elle même une survivante du cancer du sein. Monsieur Jackson a félicité l’ensemble des associations et personnes qui oeuvrent pour la lutte contre le cancer du sein au Maroc et particulièrement l’association Lalla Salma pour ce qu’elle a accompli en si peu de temps.

Après des présentations sur l’état et l’analyse situationnelle du cancer du sein au Maroc, sur les objectifs Partenariat pour la Sensibilisation et la Recherche sur le Cancer du Sein au Maroc et une présentation Vital Voices (une ONG américaine en charge de la mise en œuvre d’une partie du programme relative au renforcement des capacités des ONGs au Maroc dans le domaine du cancer du sein), les participants se sont livrés à un débat front et fructueux sur les actions et activités à mener dans le moyen et court terme, à savoir :
1. Etablir un réseau réunissant des professionnels de la santé et associations actives dans la lutte contre le cancer du sein, qui pourrait être baptisé « Alliance Nationale du Cancer du Sein » ;
2. Etablir des groupes de travail par région ainsi que des groupes de soutien ;
3. Elaborer un flyer pour l’autopalpation ;
4. Etablir un guide des étapes à poursuivre en cas de cancer de sein depuis le dépistage;
5. Former des infirmières sur le cancer du sein et sur les soins palliatifs ;
6. Mettre en place une ligne téléphonique spéciale sur le cancer du sein « Hot line »
7. Mettre en place des unités mobiles de soins à domicile ;
8. Assurer des campagnes de sensibilisation et de dépistage dans des régions lointaines.

Les témoignages de plusieurs survivantes a éclairé davantage les participants ainsi que l’équipe du Partenariat sur la difficulté de certaines patientes des régions lointaines et défavorisées à détecter le cancer du sein à temps, de trouver des laboratoires spécialisés, de bénéficier des soins à domicile en plus du cout élevé des soins et l’absence du soutien psychologique et sociale.

Le Partenariat Etats-Unis – Moyen Orient pour la Sensibilisation et la Recherche sur le Cancer du Sein se félicite du lien étroit qu’elle a créée entre professionnels et activistes dans le domaine
du cancer du sein et a promis de mener des actions à grand impact dans la limite du temps et du budget alloué par MEPI.
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To Combat Breast Cancer, End the Stigma

The Partnership would like to share the following editorial, which ran in the July 14th issue of The National, an English newspaper launched by the Abu Dhabi Media Company.

‘Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” These are the words of Marie Curie, the Nobel-prize winning scientist who was the first to treat cancer with radiation. Her words are more relevant than ever today in the Emirates, where breast cancer has taken such a deadly toll on women, and the stigma attached to the disease continues to prevent women from getting diagnosed early enough to survive it. The mortality rate for women with breast cancer in the UAE is unacceptably high. As The National reports today, four out of five women diagnosed with breast cancer in Dubai have an advanced form of the disease by the time they finally seek treatment. And largely as a result of such late detection, 44 per cent of breast cancer cases are fatal...
For a country in which women have made remarkable strides in other facets of life, these are distressing statistics. Women make up over 60 per cent of students in state universities and consistently outperform their male peers in school. Female literacy in the Arab world is near 80 per cent; in the UAE it is 92 per cent. Women hold prominent positions in the Government and are also leading initiatives in the fields of arts, business and fashion. Why then has this society not realised its collective obligation to take the steps necessary to reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer?

The stigma associated with the cancer is doubly concerning considering that the UAE has some of the most state-of-the-art facilities to treat cancer. But despite the presence of world-class medical personnel and equipment, many women remain reluctant to have routine examinations and only do so when it is too late. Rashid Hospital in Dubai has even introduced two new methods of early detection that are found nowhere else in the Gulf. With all these options, there should be no reason for so many cases of breast cancer to be diagnosed at such a late and lethal stage. Yes, effective health care depends on individual responsibility. But women need to be better informed of what is at stake.

Over one million cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation, and more than a third of women with breast cancer will eventually die from the disease. Even though medical breakthroughs may continue to decrease the number of deaths associated with the disease, early detection is still the single greatest factor in helping women beat the disease.

In these circumstances, a public dialogue about the importance of breast cancer screening is even more important than any set of technological advances. Dubai Hospital is to be commended for launching an awareness campaign that will generate a public conversation aimed at changing attitudes towards the detection and treatment of breast cancer. We have the material means; all we need is to change the way people think.

Now is the time we must understand this disease more and fear it less.

http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090714/OPINION/707139910/1033
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Jordan Workshop on Starting a Support Group Energizes Local Advocates

By Susan Brown, Director, Health Education, Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Susan and colleague, Sandy Finestone, conducted a workshop with members of the Jordan Breast Cancer Program in Amman, June 3-4, 2009. Together, they are developing a curriculum and materials for institution-based support groups.

Sandy Finestone and I spent two days with more than 20 women in Amman, Jordan. The topic of our workshop was “How to Start a Support Group,” but the information and passion shared by participants really extended beyond that topic. We watched women support each other—with a hug, a smile, a pat on the shoulder—when a group member was tearful as she recalled a friend who had lost her life to breast cancer and when another got a call on the second morning that her friend had died...

The women were there because they want to do something to help women in their communities who are diagnosed with breast cancer. No, they really want to do MORE, because they are already at work in their communities helping women with breast cancer.

We observed women think about new concepts, listen hard (as we did) to simultaneous translators to not miss anything that was said, work in groups, exchange ideas, and enthusiastically participate and compete in an ice breaker about old Arabic songs that caused a lot of laughter.

We saw that women who are involved with the breast cancer cause are more alike than not. Wherever they are, they are energetic, passionate, committed, creative, deliberate, and determined. We are eager to learn all of the great things they accomplish in the coming months and years. Read more!

Women are the World's Peacemakers

By Dr. Samia Al-AMoudi
I was proud to be part of the 21-member international delegation supporting the first Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure®. Our delegation included women from 18 countries--women from different cultures and races, and with different religious backgrounds. But we all spoke the same language when it came to fighting breast cancer. This was not a political or social fight, but a message of pure love for each other and for every other person on this planet...

We came to tell the whole world that breast cancer knows no boundaries and women's issues are the same everywhere. We might not have been able to prevent our own breast cancer diagnoses, but we are determined to do all that we can so that our daughters can live in a world free of breast cancer.

Dr. Jill Biden, a long-time advocate for breast health education and wife of U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, said to the Race participants, “You are paving the way for a breast cancer-free world through your efforts."

For the Race, Komen Founder Ambassador Nancy Brinker brought together women from across the globe to write a new page in a new era of peace to make breast cancer history. This is the way I felt as a Saudi woman, and as a breast cancer survivor attending the Global Race. I am a happy that the U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research is helping to bring us together. I wanted to share my feelings with women of all nations.


Dr. Samia Al-Amoudi isAssociate Professor and Consultant Obstetrician Gynecologist
Head of Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Al-Amoudi scientific chair for breast cancer
King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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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.” Read more!