Shaikh Abu Bakr Al-Shateri presents an inspiring lecture on breast cancer. — Courtesy photoAmal Al-Sibai Saudi Gazette Breast cancer ranks first among women diagnosed with cancer in Saudi Arabia. According to statistics from the Saudi Cancer Registry, breast cancer is diagnosed in approximately 932 women a year and the typical age is 46. The pink ribbon is the worldwide symbol of spreading awareness and supporting breast cancer patients. Following the wise adage that prevention is better than cure, the Oncology Center of Excellence at the International Medical Center organized a breast cancer awareness campaign recently at the hospital for five days. The awareness campaign included workshops, lectures, free clinical breast exams, and mammograms at half the usual cost for those women who exhibited high risk factors. The lively event also featured breast cancer awareness booths, educational sessions, and open public discussions with breast cancer survivors who shared their inspirational stories of how they overcame their illness. At the Patient Education Center, women were taught first-hand how to perform a self-breast exam, which should be done once a month a few days after the menstrual period ends. Women should look for unusual changes in color or texture and the presence of lumps, thickenings, or fluid discharge. Health professionals stressed that self exams and yearly clinical breast examinations should be done by a qualified nurse because early detection of breast cancer multiplies the women's chances of survival. Breast cancer if discovered in its earliest stages increases the survival factor by 90 percent. Women who participated had a chance to talk about their confusion, misunderstandings, concerns, and fear surrounding breast cancer; they communicated with other women and also received gifts and educational literature. Each visitor was screened for individual breast cancer risks and those who showed high risk signs were referred to the oncology clinic for further testing and later, underwent a mammogram. The Breast Examination Clinic examined 515 women free of charge, out of which 258 were referred to the oncology clinics. The lectures presented by renowned oncologists, Professor Ezzeldin Ibrahim and Dr. Khalid Abulkhair, educated visitors on breast cancer preventive measures. Adopting an active responsibility for one's own health and making positive dietary and lifestyle changes sharply reduces the risk of breast cancer. “A ground breaking study showed that women who exercise for 14 hours a week were 60 percent to 70 percent less likely to develop breast cancer," said Ibrahim. Mothers who breast fed their babies have a 20 percent lower risk of contracting breast cancer. Obesity and eating a diet high in saturated fats are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. A breast cancer prevention meal plan includes eating more cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, soy beans, lentils, beans, fish, flaxseeds, berries and green tea. The highlight of the event was the presentation offered by Shaikh Abu Bakr Al-Shateri. Al-Shateri has this message for his patients: “Limit the cancer to the physical organ in your body where the tumor is located. Never allow the disease to spread emotionally and to penetrate your mind, heart, psyche and soul. “Remaining hopeful and optimistic and maintaining a positive outlook during the course of medical treatment are essential keys that help the patient endure the ordeal to heal and regain health." Other sponsors that helped make this community service event successful were the World Health Assembly of Muslim Youth along with Al-Eman and Zahra Cancer Societies.
