Expert raises awareness of breast cancer

Dr JoAnne Zujewski, a senior oncologist at the US National Cancer Institute, has visited Oman to support the efforts of the Omani National Association for Cancer Awareness (NACA) to arm Omanis with the educational tools they need to understand and fight breast cancer.

Visiting Oman from October 7 to12, Dr Zujewski facilitated conferences, met local officials, and participated in Oman's first breast cancer awareness walk, all part of Oman's observation of International Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Yuthar Al Rawahy, president of NACA, said that many Omanis consider breast cancer a "strange and mysterious disease" and fear to broach the "taboo" subject. She said the stigma prevents women from learning about the disease and the benefits of early, preventative treatment.

Women who reach advanced stages of breast cancer often were not aware of early-detection methods and were unsure of the effect their diagnoses would have on their friends and family, she said.

The NACA is fighting to change the local attitudes toward women's health issues with advocacy and awareness programmes, Yuthar said. NACA has addressed problems such as inaccessibility to information sources, lack of adequate facilities for treatment, and a deep-seated aversion to discussing the subject. As part of her organisation's strategy, Yuthar sought an American perspective on the fight against breast cancer from a doctor who could help develop a public awareness campaign, observe the Omani approach and propose possible policy alterations.

During her stay, Dr Zujewski met with medical specialists, departmental directors from the Ministry of Health and non governmental organisation representatives who research, treat and educate the public about breast cancer.

She shared information about how the United States deals with breast cancer and offered suggestions to help improve Oman's educational programmes. She emphasised the importance of early detection programmes and frequent mammograms. Dr Zujewski also toured two shopping centers to view the NACA tables set up to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month and provide information about the disease to shoppers. Sarah Jackson, a diplomat at the US Embassy here, described the participants at the conference as "particularly excited by her (Dr Zujewski's) articulate, informed statements about the role of advocacy, a message that is so important here."

Dr Zujewski's visit was one of many exchange programmes that NACA hopes to host for the purpose of advising and training professionals in Oman.