The recent debate in America in which the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends women do not need annual mammograms for detection of breast cancer or breast anomalies until age 50 not only hurts millions of women in America but has tentacles which will impact on Saudi Arabia too. This is a subject on which I personally have very strong beliefs. If it had not been for a mammogram I would probably have not known that I had breast cancer and yes, I was less than 50 years of age.
So why can a debate initiated from America about the need for mammograms have an impact on Saudi Arabia? Breast Cancer remains one of the leading killers of women in Saudi Arabia in spite that –if detected early enough—it can be treated and cured. I emphasize the need for early detection because Saudi Arabia continues to face challenges of erasing the image that breast cancer is only a “woman’s problem” and a woman diagnosed with breast cancer may be viewed as undesirable or unmarriageable. As a result many Saudi women choose not to have even a routine mammogram due to a fear of the results. Additionally there is a high incidence of Saudi women who elect to remain silent about a lump or growth on their breast for fear of isolation from their husband or a sense of shame about their body. Therefore by the time a woman may be seen for treatment the cancer has spread to the point where it is no longer curable.
Thankfully the American Cancer Society has spoken out strongly criticizing the recommendation of the USPSTF. Does the USPSTF not realize that such recommendations infer selling out and placing less value on proactive measures to preserve life? Because the United States is a world leader in cancer treatments and a popular destination by Saudis for medical treatment, any American recommendations will impact on how cancer is perceived in Saudi Arabia. So thank you very much America (sarcastic mode most definitely on) for this asinine decision which will have repercussions that reverberate around the world!
NB: American Bedu has had a relapse with her cancer and presently undergoing treatment. Anyone with special women in their life ensure routine mammograms do take place. The mammogram can make that difference between life and death; hope and dismay.
Filed under: America, breast cancer, cancer, culture, Economy, gender, Health, politics, safety, Saudi Arabia, Saudi blogs, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, Saudi education, Saudi Living, Technology, Uncategorized, Women Issues Tagged: | America, breast cancer, cancer, culture, culture shock, customs, gender, gender issues, Health, KSA, places, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, women
Carol,
I do wish and pray your cancer gets completely cured and you never get a relapse again. You show an indomitable courage and strength in how much you are enduring and carry on with normal life including managing this blog.
Carol,
I wish you a speedy and complete recovery.
Breast cancer awareness is so important for all women. I was very upset when I read about this ‘new’ information in the newspaper recently. So many women in the Kingdom are already afraid of going to the doctor as it is. Now, armed with this new finding, many of their husbands will not support their decision in getting a routine mamogram. I feel this new information that has been published has undone so much of what Breast Cancer Awareness has accomplished over the years.
Hope the outcome is positive for you Bedu. Tough time for you and the people who love you.
Carol,
I pray very much that you recover soon!!!!! I love you and everyone here loves you very much.
With lots of hugs and prayers,
Jacee
All,
Thank you for the supportive comments which means so much. This time around I am undergoing chemotherapy which will be followed by radiation. There may be some days when I may not be too visible as moderator but the blog will go on! (smile)
And please, speak up against these new rulings of breast cancer. This may be a short term mechanism for insurance companies to save money but in the longer term I’ve no doubt it will result in many more cases of breast cancer getting detected when it is too late.
Breast cancer has various stages 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4
The stages refer to how far the breast cancer has spread or metastasized from outside of the breast area to other locations such as lymph nodes, organs or into the blood cells. Stages 1 – 3b are usually both curable and operable. Stage 3c has a high chance of cure through treatment but not operable. Stage 4 is where the cancer has spread too far into other organs and has least outlook of surviving.
Remember these stages and remind women to get regular check ups. Many cancerous cells cannot be detected through a self check. They are deep within the breast and only a mammogram or perhaps a pet scan are the only way they can be detected.
Be proactive in your health care. You know your body best and if something does not feel or seem right, do not ignore the signals you may be given!
Carol, I am very sorry to hear about your relapse. I hope that the therapy goes well for you and you have a full recovery.
Take good care of yourself — I am sending you a virtual hug!
My best wishes for you!
Carol…
My continued prayers and thoughts go to you and your family always. Keep the faith, a positive outlook and we will be here waiting for all the good news from your end.
I am sure it will not be neccessary as your docs are very good I am sure, but if you have any questions about anything having to do with your treatment, please feel free to let me know and I am sure my husband will be happy to clarify anything you wold like. He’s an oncologist.
Thank you for the supporting comments. I appreciate the warm words and virtual hugs.
What area does your husband practice in Oby?
One of the tough parts right now frankly is that due to the circumstances of both my spouse and I fighting cancer again at the same time is that he has remained at MD Anderson and I am at my son’s for treatment in his area since we are unable to take care of each other. Thankfully more of his family has arrived from Saudi to look after him and my son and DIL are taking great care of me. I just wish we were a little closer but thankfully we have skype.
Hi Carol,
We’ve been saddened to hear of your cancer, and your relapse. Although we’ve never met, you are in our lives everyday through Bedu, and have become a virtual part of the family .
Not a day goes by where we aren’t connected through reading your blog, sometimes several times in the one day. Your daily thoughts and words reach out and touch people Carol – in some small way we hope that our own sincere words and thoughts support you through your current challenges.
We all send you our best wishes and trust that you will enjoy a speedy and complete recovery from your illness. We look forward to meeting you in Riyadh in the not to distant future.
Tony, Sky, Hannah and Liam.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and surely for such a strong-willed person like you, life will also bend and the illness will fail to bring you down….
All the best! and love your posts
That woman tend to hide the fact about being ill in Saudi, for fear of disapproval is such a sad thing to hear…all woman should be encouraged and entitled to take care of their health condition.
Dear Tony & family,
Thank you for the supporting words. I also look forward to meeting you and your family in Riyadh. I hope to have all the treatments behind me and back on track by the late Spring.
Dear Jlll,
So happy to have you on the blog and appreciate your words of strength.
Carol,
I am so sorry to hear of your relapse. I will be praying for you here in LA. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. I think your bravery in confronting this disease will help many woman, here and in Saudi. I also admire your efforts to bring about understanding and tolerance between different cultures and religions. The world needs people like you, especially right now.
Oh no, I didn’t know your cancer had come back. I’m really sorry you and your husband are dealing with this. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs!
Carol,
I didn’t know your husband had cancer as well. It’s a hard situation you both are in. I wish and pray for both of you to get completely cured and be together again. It is good to know you are likely to be through with the treatment by late spring.
Carol…
He treats all cancers and has a good amount of experience in breast and others…
If you needed clarification on something feel free to email me at oby11@yahoo.com.
I am very comforted to know that you have family to help you. I hope that your husbands family can be a great comfort to him as well. Blessings to you both!
It has been a real roller coaster ride to put it mildly. We were so confident my husband was going to be medically cleared for travel so I came to spend a little time with my son and Grandson. While at my son’s, I was not feeling that well and went to see a doctor. To our great surprise, both my husband and I suffered relapses within 3 days of one another. However we are both pragmatic people and prepared to play the new cards we’ve been given. And if i can help anyone by speaking of my experience then that makes me happy.
I am wishing all the best for you and your husband. I think it’s amazing how productive you are even going through treatment. You bring much joy to people. I am glad you are with family and that your husband is well cared for as well. Love always.
As Salaamu Alaikum Dear Carol:
I ask Allah (swt), Lord of the Throne, to cure you/Ameen.
Thank you Mariam! I am going to try hard to continue regular postings through the treatment. It does help to have some kind of outlet and goals!
Walaikum Salam Safiyyah,
Shukran Jazelin ukhtee.
God bless you Carol, and I do hope that you will get better soon, Insha’Allah. Stay strong and never ever give up hope!
Thank you for this post and the abundant information in it! I am sure it will be very helpful to many of us, women, out there!
Thank you Manal! I have received your message and will be calling you soon. I very much enjoy our chats!
Wishing you and your husband all the best during treatment and a speedy recovery.
May Allah cure you and your husband, lighten your hearts and ease your difficulties. Ameen. Remember Allah has created both the disease AND the cure, be patient and try to use this time to get closer to Allah in whatever way is special to you.
Thank you both Jewaira and Umm tiflain,
I very much appreciate the words of support and strength for both me and my husband.
Best Regards, “Mr & Mrs Bedu