Encouraged to Think Pink

A Bahraini nurse studying to become one of the kingdom’s most qualified breast cancer specialists has been carrying out an intensive study of the disease.

Sister Shahzalan Ibrahim Fadhul has undertaken the study in addition to pursuing her Master’s degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI-MUB) which she will complete in December.

The head nurse of the Oncology and Haematology Centre at the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC), is the first nurse to benefit from the specialist programme not offered in any other Gulf country. She received funding from the Think Pink Bahrain’s breast cancer awareness charity’s education fund.
 
Sister Shahzalan, 49, has completed a qualitative study on 10 Bahraini breast cancer patients. Her in-depth research involved understanding the psycho-social problems that these women from different economic backgrounds face once they are diagnosed with the disease.

She said: “Everything from the loss of hair, beauty, husbands who show a lack of understanding, economic problems, lack of social life and loneliness intensifies their suffering.

“I have made a number of recommendations and am hoping to implement some of them. It includes a hotline and a support group, lessening the waiting time for chemotherapy treatment and creating awareness especially among families with a history of cancer.

“It is painful to hear personal stories, especially concerning unsupportive husbands. I am surprised how some Muslim men can behave so badly with their wives in this situation. I believe they need to be prepared and advised on how to help.”

Sister Shahzalan, from Seef, has four sons – Anas, 26, Ali, 23, Mohammed, 19, and Badr, 12, and an 11-month old grandson, Abdul Aziz. She has been working extensively in the oncology department and pursued the part-time programme along with her daily duties at the hospital and has inspired many of her younger colleagues to pursue professional degrees.

She has attributed her success to her husband Abdulaziz Ahmed Abdulla’s support and personal drive.
 
Her personal tryst with cancer began when she lost her favourite aunt to the disease as a young girl. She said: “I had to persuade my parents to allow me to take up nursing as a career. When I started there were only a few Bahraini nurses in the hospital.

“I always wanted to specialise in cancer and when my children were grown up, I took up the challenge to improve myself once again. My husband encouraged me and we were ready to take a bank loan when I was offered the scholarship.

“It has been tough but I know that this course will help me make a qualitative change in my department and it will be reflected in the quality of life for cancer patients.”

Nine Bahraini healthcare professionals have benefitted from various specialist courses on breast cancer that have been funded by Think Pink Bahrain.

The charity’s founder Jules Sprakel said: “We are hoping it will benefit the community and change many lives. Education is the first step to prevention. When we educate our mothers, daughters, sisters and nieces, we can help them to make informed decisions, which may ultimately save their lives.”

l Breast cancer statistics from the Oncology Centre of SMC show that out of a random sample of 116 breast cancer patients in 2009, 58 patients (50 per cent) were between the ages of 30 and 50. In 2010, out of a random sample of 114 breast cancer patients, 54 patients (47 per cent) were between the ages of 30 and 50.

Experts say, when diagnosed early, the survival rate of breast cancer can be as high as 98 per cent.