For one breast cancer survivor in Gaza Strip, a journey of hardship and hope – occupied Palestinian territory – ReliefWeb
Posted: November 19, 2020 at 2:54 pm
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip, Palestine I always encourage the women I know to do a self-examination and regular screenings, Intisar, 55, told UNFPA. She is a breast cancer survivor from Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip, and her outspokenness about the topic is a rarity in her community.
The incidence of breast cancer has been increasing in Palestine in recent years partly due to growing awareness and detection, but also because of lifestyle and dietary habits related to poverty. It is the most prevalent cancer among Palestinian women, accounting for 32 per cent of cancer diagnoses in the West Bank and 18 per cent of those in the Gaza Strip.
Breast cancer is most treatable when detected early. Unfortunately, more than 60 per cent of breast cancer cases in Palestine are found at a late stage, reducing the chance of survival.
Women with breast cancer also face serious stigma.
In Palestine, it is widely understood that vulnerability to breast cancer can be hereditary. As a result, some women avoid getting screened because they fear a breast cancer diagnosis could affect their daughters marriage prospects. Women with breast cancer have also faced gender-based violence and abandonment. A recent UNFPA study showed that breast cancer stigma is a major cause of delayed detection and treatment.
Intisar was fortunate to have the support of her family when she received her breast cancer diagnosis in 2016. But the social stigma left her feeling depressed and isolated.
UNFPA works with the Ministry of Health to improve detection and treatment efforts, and coordinates a breast cancer working group.
Working with Augusta Victoria Hospital and the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, and with funding from the Government of Japan, UNFPA has deployed a mobile breast cancer screening clinic to marginalized communities in the West Bank.
UNFPA also works closely with the Culture and Free Thought Association (CFTA) and the Campaign for the Children of Palestine to support breast cancer patients in Gaza. After Intisar received chemotherapy, she started to visit the CFTA for services.
There, she received a wig, dignity kits with hygiene products, hormone therapy, vitamins, medication and financial assistance. The association also helped her receive a mastectomy operation and prostheses. CFTA also provided psychosocial support, recreational activities and group outings.
I met women who became my real friends, Intisar recalled.
These services, as well as community awareness sessions, are supported by UNFPA with funding from the Government of Japan. Awareness is essential, experts say.
The aim is to increase awareness on the importance of early diagnosis for breast cancer for both women and men, said Firyal Thabet, director of the Women Health Centre at CFTA.
We do this by online campaigns, radio coverage, and by involving mosques, hair salons and taxi companies. Now we see more and more women and men coming to our centre for screening.
Swift access to treatment services is also crucial. A recent evaluation of UNFPAs projects on breast cancer found that, among the projects clients, the average time from diagnosis to initiation of treatment fell from 6 months to 7 days between 2016 and 2018.
Still, some treatment options remain out of reach.
Intisar needed to receive radiotherapy, but no such services were available in Gaza. CFTA helped her obtain a permit from the Israeli authorities to receive treatment at Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem, but her permit application was rejected five times before she was finally granted permission.
In 2018, almost 40 per cent of Israeli permit applications for Palestinian patients to exit the Gaza Strip to receive treatment in the West Bank or Jerusalem were rejected or delayed. About a quarter of these applications were for cancer care.
Today, Intisar is a leading advocate for early detection and a peer supporter at CFTA. She also counsels women and girls about the topic in her community. Breast cancer is a start of a new life and not the end of your life, she tells them. Do not give up.
She is also refusing to give up.
A year ago, doctors found a small cancerous tumour on her lung. She is again undergoing chemotherapy.
I am hopeful that I will recover again, she said, with the help of God and those around me.
Continue reading here:
For one breast cancer survivor in Gaza Strip, a journey of hardship and hope - occupied Palestinian territory - ReliefWeb
- Hormone therapy: Is it right for you? - Mayo Clinic [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- LifeXmd :: Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Center [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Bioidentical hormones: Are they safer? - Mayo Clinic [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Diabetes and Hormone Center of the Pacific [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Hormone Replacement Clinic | Topeka & Lawrence KS [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Integrative Health and Hormone Clinic Cedar Rapids, IA [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2015]
- Hormone Center - Home [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2015]
- How Are Hormones And Anxiety Related? - Calm Clinic [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2015]
- Women's Mood & Hormone Clinic / Moms Program | UCSF ... [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2015]
- Dallas Anti Aging Clinic for Men | Male Hormone ... [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2015]
- Hormone clinic to open - News Sentinel Story [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2015]
- Male Hormone Replacement - Testosterone - The Turek Clinic [Last Updated On: August 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2015]
- Bio-Identical Hormones & Women's Services at Dr. Wright's ... [Last Updated On: August 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 21st, 2015]
- HGH Therapy | HGH Clinics | Human Growth Hormone Therapy [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2015]
- Long Island Hormone Therapy Clinic NY, Anti-Aging Clinics ... [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2015]
- Home - Seattle Hormone Replacement Clinic for Men [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2015]
- Medical Weight Loss Clinic of Utah - Hormone Replacement ... [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2015]
- What are Hormones? - Hormone Replacement Therapy Denver [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2015]
- Human growth hormone (HGH): Does it slow aging? - Mayo Clinic [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2015]
- Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy - Amen Clinics [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2015]
- HD Medspa & Clinic | Lakeview Neighborhood, Chicago, for ... [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2015]
- Denver Hormone Therapy | Denver Hormone Health [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2016]
- Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men and Women ... [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2016]
- The Endocrine Clinic | Singapore Hormone Specialists [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2016]
- San Antonio Natural Hormone Therapy Clinic | Bio-Identical ... [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Does hormone replacement medication ... - Lindora Clinic [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2016]
- FEMME CLINIQUE - Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy Clinic ... [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2016]
- Dr Colin Holloway | Managing hormone imbalances [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2016]
- melatonin hormone - University of Maryland Medical Center [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2016]
- Human chorionic gonadotropin - Wikipedia, the free ... [Last Updated On: July 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 20th, 2016]
- Talk to Nurse Rita - Health, Nursing & Clinic Matters [Last Updated On: July 24th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 24th, 2016]
- NATESTO (testosterone) Nasal Gel CIII | Prescriber Site [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2016]
- Home : Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2016]
- Ageing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 21st, 2016]
- Melatonin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2016]
- Hormone Replacement Clinic in NJ | Healthy Aging Medical ... [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2016]
- UT Southwestern, Dallas, Texas - UTSW Medicine (Patient ... [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2016]
- Clinical Guidelines and Recommendations | Agency for ... [Last Updated On: November 15th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 15th, 2016]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy | Born Clinic [Last Updated On: November 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 22nd, 2016]
- Medical Weight Loss | Endocrinology & Hormone Replacement [Last Updated On: November 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2016]
- West Coast Womens Clinic - Vancouver Womens Health Clinic [Last Updated On: November 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2016]
- Prolactin - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2016]
- Worrying about Anti Mullerian Hormones? | Baby Hopeful [Last Updated On: December 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2016]
- Risk of Pregnancy Loss in Subclinical Hypothyroidism - Endocrinology Advisor [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Public invited to women's clinic opening in New Albany - Evening News and Tribune [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Thyroid Hormone Therapy for Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy - Medical News Bulletin [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Transgender youth in Alberta need more than 1 part-time clinic, says new campaign - CBC.ca [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- BRUCKNER: UNL a national model for trans, LGBT care - Daily Nebraskan [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Hospital in Somerset becomes first in NJ to open LGBTQ health center - New Jersey 101.5 FM Radio [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Four NIH-backed projects aim to advance the artificial pancreas - MobiHealthNews [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- In Transition: Physical transitions can include hormone treatment, surgery - The Baylor Lariat [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Amphetamine use may 'speed up' heart aging - Medical News Today [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Nationwide Planned Parenthood protests energize patients, opponents - SFGate [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Women's wellness: Understanding hypothyroidism and pregnancy - The Killeen Daily Herald [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- How This Police Officer Is Helping Trans Patients Get Better Care - Refinery29 [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Most cases of thyroid cancer are curable - Post-Bulletin [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Is hormone melatonin the link between sleep and breast cancer? - Knowridge Science Report [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- In West Africa, clinics confront suspicion, and husbands, one IUD at a time - STAT [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- 'Speed' and other recreational stimulants tied to heart damage - Fox News [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Research shows balancing hormones can aid weight loss - WLS-TV [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- These transgender patients now have a place to change their lives all at once - Miami Herald [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Healthy eating, the Hyman way - Durham Herald Sun [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Balancing hormones and weight loss - UPMatters.com [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Have You Heard of These 5 Heart Attack Risk Factors? - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic (blog) [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Feeling stressed? Try these proven methods for chilling out - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Mother & Son Swap Sexes At The Same Time! - Radar Online [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- The truth about why some men get sleepy after sex | Fox News - Fox News [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Wellness experts use hormone balancing to fight obesity - WNDU-TV [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- These transgender patients now have a place to change their lives all at once - San Angelo Standard Times [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Obese couples may take longer to conceive - Fox News [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Even More Reason to Kick That Sedentary Lifestyle - LifeZette [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- What Happens When Your Immune System Gets Stressed Out? - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic (blog) [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Boutique Egg Freezing Clinics Are the Latest Trend for Those Looking to Delay Parenthood - Babble (blog) [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Municipal Hospital System Opens NYC's First Public Clinic Offering Gender-Reassignment Surgery - NY1 [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Walking has many Health Benefit - Plainview Daily Herald [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- Isoflavones in food associated with reduced mortality for women with some breast cancers - Tufts Now [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Planned Parenthood New York Now Offers Transgender Hormone Replacement Therapy - The Mary Sue [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Doctor Allie International Hormone Success Doctor Joins the ... - Satellite PR News (press release) [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Hormone Therapy Clinic | Human Growth Hormone ... [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Dubai clinic offering free fertility tests for women throughout March ... - Emirates 24|7 [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]