1 October 2016
It's Breast Cancer Awareness month! In October, around the world, individuals, organisations and community groups will be coming together to promote education and awareness of the disease and highlight the importance of diagnosis and effective treatment.
Breast cancer is now one of the most treatable forms of cancer. In the UK, far more women now survive the disease than die from it, with 81 percent of women living beyond five years after being diagnosed. Estimates for the survival rates of Palestinian women, however, are far lower, with some estimates as low as 40 percent.
This week the Palestinian Center for Human Rights reported that a 52-year-old women’s rights activist was prevented from leaving Gaza through the Erez crossing for breast cancer treatment at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, Tel Aviv. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month Medical Aid for Palestinians will be calling attention to the obstacles Palestinian breast cancer patients face trying to access effective treatment and care living under occupation. Keep an eye on our website for news, stories, and ways you can help.
With your support MAP’s teams and partners in Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza are at the forefront of ensuring that Palestinian women with breast cancer can access the support and care they need.
West Bank
MAP supports the Dunya Women's Cancer Centre in Ramallah, the only clinic in the West Bank to specialise in gynaecological and breast cancer. The centre serves around 1,900 women per year, offering specialised cancer diagnostic services like ultrasound, mammogram, breast markers and wire localisation, plus more holistic services like physiotherapy and psychological counselling.
MAP is also investing £110,000 in Bethlehem University to offer a Higher Diploma course for nurses in oncology. A minimum of 12 nurses per year will receive this training for three years, ensuring the Palestinian health system can call on a greater number of cancer specialists.
Gaza
In Gaza, MAP provides external breast prostheses to women who have undergone mastectomies, through our support to a women’s health clinic in Bureij refugee camp.
Lebanon
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, MAP’s partner in our Reproductive Health Programme, Naba’a, will be providing a series of talks to women on the topic of breast cancer detection and treatment, offering free consultations at their clinic, and giving referrals for mammograms as needed, in Ein el Helweh and Rashidyeh camps.
Click here to read how you can help many more Palestinian women survive breast cancer today.
Featured image: Women at a breast cancer support group at the Dunya Centre, Ramallah.