An exciting lineup of activities is set to be staged in Bahrain, kicking off breast cancer awareness month in October. 
Every year, individuals and groups in the kingdom come together in support of the cause, with educational and fundraising events. Among them is the Bahrain Rugby Club (BRC), who will be organising their annual programme, including a rugby game on October 16. The match will see the BRC hometeam play against boys from Doha, Qatar. 
“We are immensely proud to continue our annual support for Think Pink and the vital cause of breast cancer awareness,” BRC marketing head Elliot Behan told GulfWeekly. 
“Starting October 16, members and guests can purchase our official Think Pink t-shirts and vests directly at the club (in Saar). To mark the launch, our Rugby 1st XV (team) will be wearing them during their warm-up ahead of their match,” he added. 
All proceeds from the event and t-shirt sales will be donated to Think Pink: Bahrain Breast Cancer Society (@thinkpinkbahrain on Instagram), the kingdom’s only standalone breast cancer-focused non-governmental organisation.
Last year, BRC raised and donated BD4,500 to the charity. 
Joining the club in pushing for the pink cause is Cycling Bees, an all-women cycling group. The platform will stage a pink ride, in collaboration with Nadeen School, on October 9, on Dilmunia Island. The event runs from 6.15am to 7.30am and is open to all. Refreshments and snacks will be available right after. Riders will also enjoy a fun raffle draw. 
There will be an entry fee of BD2 per person and the bike can be rented for BD7. All proceeds will be donated to Think Pink Bahrain’s Race to a Million Challenge – a joint initiative of the cancer society and Bahrain Bricks, which specialises in creating products to generate funding.
If you are looking for more sporting action for a good cause, do not miss the women’s padel tournament on October 9 at Centraal Club in Hamala. The event is organised in collaboration with MG Tennis Academy, all supporting breast cancer awareness. 
The tournament will take place from 9am to 12pm and the entry fee is BD5 per player, with all proceeds being donated to the society and the cause. Prior registrations are required before October 4. 
Breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal breast cells grow out of control and form tumours. In addition to awareness, early detection is important and can save lives, alongside specialist treatment and post-treatment care.
Advocating for early detection, expatriate group Indian Community Welfare Association (ICWA) will organise their annual campaign, featuring a free-of-cost physical examination for low-income women at American Mission Hospital in Manama. The event will also feature an educational talk. Additionally, if any concerns are identified, the women will receive free ultrasounds and mammograms at a discounted rate. 
“This is our fourth year of conducting this session, which has proved beneficial to so many women. This initiative is a meaningful step towards creating awareness, encouraging early detection and making essential screening more accessible to women who may otherwise find it difficult to afford,” said ICWA women’s wing coordinator Anu Jose, who is a breast cancer survivor. 
Bahrain currently has the highest breast cancer rate in the Gulf, with an estimated incidence of 117 cases per 100,000 women and an age-standardised rate of 58.5 per 100,000 – higher than all other GCC countries.
While breast cancer takes a physical toll, patients go through an equally challenging mental ordeal, nodding to a need for more support groups in the kingdom. One such is Bahrain Breast Cancer Support Group.
“I joined the group as soon as I started treatment for breast cancer and being a member provided tremendous support and inspiration throughout my healing journey,” 43-year-old Bahraini yoga teacher Amal Jaffar recounted. 
The new mother received treatment from 2018 to 2019. “Through asking questions, receiving helpful tips and simply having a space to be heard during difficult times, I felt seen and supported,” she added. 
Those who wish to join can follow @bahrainbcsupportgroup on Instagram.