There are some cultural traditions in the Kingdom that have not yet changed and anyone who is immersed in the Kingdom through work, life or whatever reason should be aware of some of these traditions and customs. These include the giving of bad news. Saudis do not like to pass along news which is bad or disturbing such as death, illness or any topic which can leave the recipient depressed. As a result, it is not unusual for the Saudi to give partial news instead. For example, when someone is ill, the individual may not be told the full extent of their condition for fear of upsetting them. The same goes when one does learn of an illness and the full extent of the illness may not be shared with friends or family. It is also typical that any kind of disturbing news should not be delivered first thing in the morning either. A Saudi is usually careful on what time he or she may choose to share bad news.
I believe Westerners are much more direct and want to know facts, whether good or bad whereas many Saudis overall prefer a softened version of truth.
That is part one of the point I wish to address with this post. Part two is on stigmas and biases. Bad news is softened and watered down. And any subject considered sensitive or private may also be watered down 
or simply ignored. On this issue, I again immediately think of women and their need to be pro-active on health care. It saddens me that I recently had a discussion with several adult Saudi women on the topic of pro-active health care. All are over 40 years old and none of them have ever received a GYN exam or have had a mammogram. They also do not do any kind of self-exams for possible lumps in the breast. Why, I asked. They said these topics are not discussed. They are sensitive and private and, the words I think really summed up their views best… “why should they go looking for problems?” My words on how some “problems” can not be detected without taking pro-active measures on their parts feel on death ears. Their reactions simply reassert why breast cancer is among the highest killer of women in the Kingdom. These women I spoke with are not uneducated. They know what breast cancer is and while they hear and say they understand the need for exams, the cultural biases and stigmas are too firmly entrenched. As much as I do not like to acknowledge it, I can see that they are not going to change their views or customs towards this subject.
Filed under: Health, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, Saudi education, culture, gender
Dear Carol,
I hope your treatment is going well and i am glad to keep up with your posts. I often find them informative and thought provoking. On this topic i have a personal note to add. My brother, who is 19, noticed a small lump growing on his testicle last year. He went to the doctor and it was removed immediately. It was found to be cancerous and he underwent 2 rounds of chemo and is now healthy Alhamdolillah.
He is young boy with a keen interest in sports. He leads a normal healthy life. The doctors assured him that if he had not gone so soon the cancer may well have spread. I am sure it was excruciatingly difficult for him to go to the doctor at his young age but he did it immediately and recieved the benefit of his quick actions.
Insha’Allah i hope that these cultural barriers can be overcome and men and women feel confident checking themselves and quickly consulting doctors.
I am sure you’re talking so publicly about your illness will help in this endevour. Best of luck.
Re: The Giving of Bad News
I used to be a firm believer in knowing all the facts, ASAP. Since taking care of my father during the last two years of his life, I’ve come to appreciate the “ignorance is bliss” school of thought, which runs contrary to my Western medical orientation. I’m not so sure, now, of what I’d want to know– or tell.
Re: Stigmas and Biases
The medical professionals I worked with (granted, some years ago) were usullay excited– professionally speaking, that is– when they began to work in the Kingdom. There, they saw advanced cases of diseases they would pick up almost routinely, in the early stages, here in the States.
Many dramatic developments are seen only in medical textbooks, until one works in the Kingdom. Sounds like some things haven’t changed much since I’ve been gone.
Thanks for the comments! I do not want to veer from the general topic of stigma and biases and talk about my illness per se but if my experience and willingness to address my own recent challenges will even help 1 person, then I am happy!
Umm Safeer, are you and your brother in Saudi? Yes, thank goodness he recognized the need to speak up and seek treatment.
I will have posts forthcoming now that I am home convalescing about recent observations and experiences vis-a-vis as an extended in-patient in a government run hospital but I’ll need a few days just to get acclimatized to being back at home (think visions of Dorothy from Wizard of Oz clicking this ruby red slippers whispering there’s no place like home.) I am so very happy to be HOME!
[...] Abaya fashion show 23 03 2009 I love Bill Maher, you must know that by now. He is wrong however in that Saudi woimen can and do lay their lives, (and breasts) in the hands of male doctors. However illnesses are treated with extreme, too extreme secrecy and many women over 40 have never even been examined. ”Such topics are not discussed” the result being that breast cancer is still amongst the highest killer of women in the Kingdom. American Bedu has written a post on the cultural bias towards breast cancer in Saudia Arabia, read it here. [...]