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“We are each of us angels with only one wing and we can only fly embracing each other.” Luciano de Crescenzo
A diagnosis of cancer brings with it a wide range of emotions that often includes shock, fear, denial, sadness and anger. Women diagnosed with breast cancer will experience this range of emotions as they go through different stages of healing. Although time may lessen the intensity of such feelings, it’s likely they may not ever go away completely. A strong social support network can help those with breast cancer address the long-term emotional impact of a breast cancer diagnosis. Research has shown that women deal with their disease when supported by others in similar situations whilst providing coping strategies making them a valuable resource and important part of recovery process.
This is the dream envisioned by two women working in Bahrain and hoping to bring something new and positive to breast cancer survivors on the island. With the recent awareness brought to breast cancer through the ‘Think Pink’ campaign, people’s perception of the disease has changed dramatically and it is no longer a shameful subject, one that was not to be uttered in public. Instead breast cancer is a disease which many women want to now talk about in order to help educate all women around the world.
Adriene Buck is a breast care nurse and lymph oedema practitioner specialising in breast cancer. While at a fundraising event for ‘Think Pink’, she was approached by the Director of World Beat Fitness Centre Jane Goodwin with regards to starting up some kind of support group for breast cancer survivors. The idea seemed practical as there was a great need for a support group in Bahrain. They discovered many breast cancer survivors were ready for such a support group. Adrienne discussed the possibility of a support group in Bahrain with Rula Al Saffar, head of Breast Cancer Support Group at the Bahrain Cancer Society who fully supported her and suggested the idea of an Arabic speaking support group to be held monthly also to accommodate a wider audience which is a wonderful opportunity for women.
While gaining and receiving support from family and friends may seem enough, studies have shown
that support from a variety of formal and informal sources can have real quality-of-life benefits, including improvements in mood, ability to cope and reduced levels of stress. In addition to emotional support, social networks can provide practical assistance that can make daily life a little easier - as often women may be reluctant to disclose true feelings so as not to over burden their family or friends - so a group environment plays a critical role in the recovery process.
It is the right of every woman to decide what is appropriate for her and some may want to deal with it privately. In this situation help and support is available from the Ministry of Health. Group support however, is missing in a country renowned for its close-knit, kin-like community. Breast Cancer Support Group (BCSG) will provide support to English speaking survivors, while Bahrain Cancer Society (BCS) will provide to those seeking it in Arabic, while both offering information, support and resource of services in a friendly, non-judgmental and confidential environment where members can provide mutual support on shared experiences and gain an improved sense of well being.
BCSG and BCS will provide tips and ways of coping, peer and emotional support; participants will be free to share concerns and worries with others and in return they will feel supported, cared for and accepted by others. The main aim is to offer women in Bahrain the opportunity to gain information, give and receive support and gain access to resources and services around the country - in a private and confidential environment.
An open house will take place on 19th March at the World Beat Fitness Centre, Saar from 4-5.3Opm and 7.30-9pm for those interested in English support groups with BCSG, while BCS will have an open house on Tuesday evening 18th March from 6.30-8.3Opm at the Bahrain Cancer Society at Salmaniya Medical Complex.
Breast Cancer - The Facts
The facts:
More women in the United States are diagnosed with
breast cancer every year than with any other kind of cancer - lung
cancer is second. A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 1
1 minutes in the United States. One out of eight women will get breast
cancer. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women.
Heart disease is the first.
Who's at risk:
Most women who get breast cancer have no family
history or other risk factors. It can occur at any age
but is more common the older you get. Women with slightly higher risks
are:-
- Women whose mother or sister has had it.
- Women who have never had children.
- Women who had their first child after the age of 30.
- The biggest risk factor is being a woman !
The best defence: Early detection is the key. The earlier the breast cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat. If you think you might have a lump GO TO THE DOCTOR!
The Breast Cancer Society gives the following guidelines:
Age 20-39:
Clinical breast exam by a nurse or doctor every three years. Monthly
breast self-examination.
Age 40+:
Annual mammography. Annual clinical breast examination.
Monthly breast self-examination.
For more information about mammograms and other cancer related questions,
visit the website at
www.cancer.org
Men can also get breast cancer. However, it is rather rare. Breast
cancer accounts for 2/. of all malignancies in men versus 260/o for
women.
Men who get breast cancer are more likely to be college graduates,
professors, or managers. The average age for a man to develop breast
cancer is 65; for women the average age is 60. Men have the
same most common sign of breast cancer; a painless lump.
Zambia has the highest rate of male breast cancer with 15 % of breast
cancer patients being men. In Egypt 6% of all breast cancers are found
in men. A lot of men think that there is no such thing as breast
cancer in men. There is and you should be aware!
Links to Cancer Sites
Cancer Master - A Valuable Cancer Directory and Information Resource.
Article provided by Bahrain Confidential.