Although Lebanon’s ongoing crises have made it increasingly difficult for cancer patients to access treatment, afford medication, and obtain essential drugs while also being exposed to factors that heighten cancer risks and contribute to a surge in cases, the month of October in Lebanon continues to shine in pink
Across the country, numerous campaigns are launched as institutions such as the Ministry of Health and several hospitals intensify their awareness efforts, encouraging women to get screened. Despite the challenges, these initiatives remain a remarkable achievement.
The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health is offering free mammograms for women aged 40 and above until the end of the year. Women can access this service at a variety of public and private hospitals across Lebanon. Individuals can call the Ministry’s hotline at 1214 to find the closest hospital offering free mammography.
According to Dr Ali Shamseddine, in his research published in the Syndicate of Hospitals on breast cancer epidemiology in Lebanon, the high incidence rates of breast cancer in Lebanon compared to other Arab countries may, in part, stem from the better awareness of breast cancer and the wide implementation of screening programs in Lebanon.
According to Dr Ali, since 2002, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health has been launching annual awareness campaigns for breast cancer screening to facilitate access to mammography at reduced fees in different locations in Lebanon among women aged 40 years and above.
Such awareness campaigns play an essential role in both, increasing women’s motivation to make use of the available diagnostic services and sensitizing physicians to suspect and diagnose signs and symptoms of potential breast tumors.
The Lebanese Breast Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting breast cancer initiatives in Lebanon, has been leading awareness campaigns throughout Pink October. By collaborating with prominent Lebanese brands and businesses, the foundation uses social media to spread awareness and share facts and data in a visually engaging way to inspire change. A portion of the profits generated by participating businesses is typically donated to support the foundation’s ongoing efforts.
Early detection saves lives
According to Notre Dame des Secours, a non-profit university hospital, 90 per cent of early-stage breast cancer patients are survivors.
Similarly, according to the Barbara Nassar Association, women who undergo regular screenings have a 30 per cent lower risk of dying from breast cancer. This year, the association organized an event under the slogan “Pinky promise”, bringing together individuals, survivors, current patients, and advocates in a supportive and empowering space. The event offered free mammogram vouchers, free haircuts for hair donations, and free transportation for those who needed it. It also featured a children’s corner, engaging activities, and a healthy food court to create a welcoming environment for families.
In addition, the association continues to collaborate with various organizations and private businesses to raise awareness throughout Pink October, whether through fundraising campaigns or community events.
Dr Layal Abi Zeid, a gynaecologist and fertility specialist, said “Breast cancer is the most widespread cancer among women, especially in the Middle East because we have genes, pollution, and many factors that is increasing this cancer and the solution is early detection which allows a woman to have a small surgery and then continue her life and recover up to 99 per cent, however delaying the diagnosis, which is what avoiding the mammogram causes, leads to cancer arriving but in an advanced stage, consequently women will need to undergo chemotherapy, radiation therapy and even take pill treatments for ten years.”
Advocacy from individuals
Recently, Dareen Abihana, a wedding planner in Lebanon, shared a video on her Instagram with her mother conveying a personal touching story about her mother being diagnosed with breast cancer, but with early detection through a mammography, her life was saved.
“Cancer does not choose age, time or place. It all started when I was showering and I noticed a very small lump in my breast, and I thought this was something unusual and became concerned, but did not want to think negatively because I thought I was only thirty, so it’s still early.” Lama Kontar, a cancer survivor, told NOW.
“Coincidentally, it was during October last year, and I was driving to work and saw breast cancer awareness panels specifically mentioning the importance of early detection, so I thought maybe it was the right thing to do, book myself the earliest scan appointment,” said Lama.
Early detection saved Lama’s life. According to her doctors, the tumor had likely been growing for about two months based on its size, but because it was caught early, a simple surgery was enough to remove it, allowing her to avoid chemotherapy and other treatments that could have caused severe side effects. At 31, and as a mother of two, Lama now urges all women not to delay or hesitate to get a mammogram, stressing that early screening can spare them from the worst.
Some of the main points of the official guidelines for cancer screening in Lebanon are as follows:
All women with no personal or family history of breast cancer should obtain a mammography every year starting at 40 and for as long as the woman is in good health, to detect breast cancer at its earliest possible stages.
Secondly, the mammography should be repeated every year, even if it shows no suspicious signs.
Thirdly, women with a personal or family history of genetic breast cancer should start their annual screening 10 years earlier than the age of onset of the first case in the family, or even earlier if their physician recommends it. It also recommended that all women should have a clinical breast examination (CBE) in conjunction with their annual mammography.
Rodayna Raydan is a Lebanese-British journalist. You can follow her on Twitter @Rodayna_462
The views in this story reflect those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of NOW.
