21 December 2017
Breast cancer is one of the best understood and most treatable forms of cancer. However, for women living under occupation, rates of survival are incredibly low. Estimates of five-year survival rates among Palestinian women diagnosed with the disease can be as low as 40 percent. This makes breast cancer the highest cause of cancer deaths among Palestinian women.
The Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)-supported Dunya Women’s Cancer Centre in Ramallah is the only clinic in the West Bank to specialise in gynaecology and breast cancer. It offers specialised cancer diagnostic services such as mammography, ultrasound and biopsy, as well as holistic services for women undergoing treatment such as psychological counselling and physiotherapy. Dunya’s team also work in the community to improve public understanding of the disease and encourage early diagnosis and self-checking. The centre, run by women, for women, is incredibly busy and serves around 1,900 women per year.
Early diagnosis of breast cancer is key to recovery, which is why the Dunya Centre is so important. The centre is the only facility in the West Bank that exists solely to identify and begin treating women's cancer early enough to save hundreds of lives every year.
Rania is one of many women who has benefitted from the services of the Dunya Centre. Rania was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30, when she visited the centre with her mother who routinely visited the centre for check-ups. By chance, she met with the doctor at the centre who convinced her to have a medical examination because of her family history of breast cancer. Unfortunately, Rania was diagnosed with breast cancer, but because it was caught early, she was referred for treatment immediately.
Four years later and now in recovery, Rania is an active part of the survivor’s support group at the Dunya Centre. Rania said "early detection has quickly identified the disease, confined it with treatment sessions and completely eliminated it. Detection may reduce the risk of spreading and saves lives".
Today, Rania engages in awareness raising campaigns by sharing her experiences with her community and in the media. She speaks about how the Dunya Centre has enhanced her self-confidence and challenged many social stigmas about cancer.
As well as being an ambassador for the community, Rania provides psychological support to women in the waiting room at the centre. Rania represents the ethos of the centre by turning a crisis into an opportunity to help others. She said:
“My task away from my home and my children is to educate and help others to accept and treat the disease. Women should be given an example of the will to face the disease and to be optimistic."
MAP continues to support a wide range of women’s health projects across the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), including the Dunya Women’s Cancer Centre. To find out more about breast cancer in the oPt, watch our animation here.
If you would like to support MAP’s work and the work of our partners, please consider making a donation today.
Names changed to protect identity
