Breast Cancer Support in Bahrain
We are each of us angels with only one wing and we can only fly embracing each other.” Luciano de Crescenzo
A diagnosis of cancer brings with it a wide range of emotions that often includes shock, fear, denial, sadness and anger. Women diagnosed with breast cancer will experience this range of emotions as they go through different stages of healing. Although time may lessen the intensity of such feelings, it’s likely they may not ever go away completely. A strong social support network can help those with breast cancer address the long-term emotional impact of a breast cancer diagnosis.
Research has shown that women deal with their disease when supported by others in similar situations whilst providing coping strategies making them a valuable resource and important part of recovery process.
This is the dream envisioned by two women working in Bahrain and hoping to bring something new and positive to breast cancer survivors on the island. With the recent awareness brought to breast cancer through the ‘Think Pink’ campaign, people’s perception of the disease has changed dramatically and it is no longer a shameful subject, one that was not to be uttered in public. Instead breast cancer is a disease which many women want to now talk about in order to help educate all women around the world.
Adriene Buck is a breast care nurse and lymph oedema practitioner specialising in breast cancer. While at a fundraising event for ‘Think Pink’, she was approached by the Director of World Beat Fitness Centre Jane Goodwin with regards to starting up some kind of support group for breast cancer survivors. The idea seemed practical as there was a great need for a support group in Bahrain. They discovered many breast cancer survivors were ready for such a support group. Adrienne discussed the possibility of a support group in Bahrain with Rula Al Saffar, head of Breast Cancer Support Group at the Bahrain Cancer Society who fully supported her and suggested the idea of an Arabic speaking support group to be held monthly also to accommodate a wider audience which is a wonderful opportunity for women.
While gaining and receiving support from family and friends may seem enough, studies have shown that support from a variety of formal and informal sources can have real quality-of-life benefits, including improvements in mood, ability to cope and reduced levels of stress. In addition to emotional support, social networks can provide practical assistance that can make daily life a little easier - as often women may be reluctant to disclose true feelings so as not to over burden their family or friends - so a group environment plays a critical role in the recovery process.
It is the right of every woman to decide what is appropriate for her and some may want to deal with it privately. In this situation help and support is available from the Ministry of Health. Group support however, is missing in a country renowned for its close-knit, kin-like community. Breast Cancer Support Group (BCSG) will provide support to English speaking survivors, while Bahrain Cancer Society (BCS) will provide to those seeking it in Arabic, while both offering information, support and resource of services in a friendly, non-judgmental and confidential environment where members can provide mutual support on shared experiences and gain an improved sense of well being.
BCSG and BCS will provide tips and ways of coping, peer and emotional support; participants will be free to share ! concerns and worries with others and in return they will f eel supported, cared for and accepted by others. The main aim is to offer women in Bahrain the opportunity to gain information, give and receive support and gain access to resources and services around the country - in a private and confidential environment.
posted by Gulfoncology at
16:36
|
0 Comments
