ShareKUWAIT: In response to the rising costs of cancer medications in Kuwait and nearby countries, Dr Jinan Abdullah, a medical oncologist at the Kuwait Cancer Center, proposes that Middle Eastern companies should produce drugs locally. “This approach would empower them to gain control over the prices of drugs”, Abdullah told Kuwait Times, on the sidelines of a discussion at the French Embassy focused on raising breast cancer awareness. “The prevalence of cancer is increasing and will continue to rise, so we need to address the problem at its roots.”
Highlighting a largely overlooked aspect of cancer awareness, the French Ambassador to Kuwait Olivier Gauvin said during his opening speech: “While breast cancer primarily affects women, about 1 percent of cases occur in men.” He emphasized the importance of male participation in awareness campaigns, calling for their crucial role in fostering solidarity and promoting a collective fight against the disease.
Support from charities
Given the financial strain many patients face, Abdullah said affording targeted cancer drugs and innovative treatments presents a significant challenge. She mentioned several financial assistance resources available in Kuwait, including charitable organizations like the Sidra Association for Psychological Care of Cancer Patients.
While acknowledging the effectiveness of these initiatives, she proposed drawing inspiration from successful international health policies and insurance systems to address the anticipated rise in cancer treatment costs and the growing population as a long-term solution. For instance, Abdullah mentioned that existing models, such as the French, Scandinavian, and British systems, “work effectively for both expatriates and locals.”
Continuing her discussion, Abdullah addressed the controversies surrounding mammograms and their safety concerns, reassuring the audience that they do not present any significant challenges and that their risks are comparable to those of chest X-rays. She emphasized the importance of mammograms in the early diagnosis of breast cancer, stating, “The difference between early-stage and late-stage cancer lies in whether we can cure the patients or merely extend their lives.”
She recommended that women begin screenings after the age of 40, or earlier if there is a family history of cancer. Other risk factors she mentioned include late childbirth, not breastfeeding, obesity, and a lack of exercise.
Cancer warrior, survivor
Menna Farag, a five-year breast cancer survivor, and author of “When Cancer Messed With the Wrong Girl,” reflected on her journey of navigating life as a cancer patient while striving to maintain normalcy. She recalled her efforts to balance all aspects of her life, managing the physical and mental challenges of treatment, working daily, and keeping up a social life, which she believes embody the core challenges cancer patients face — challenges often overlooked in awareness campaigns. Farag highlighted the need for campaigns to address realistic, deeply personal questions, such as: “What does a woman do when her hair falls out? How does she care for her family when her body is weak?”
Farag urged greater collaboration among cancer organizations to advocate for laws protecting patients’ rights. She also called for empowering awareness campaigns to support cancer patients in staying strong while managing life with cancer. Dr Rania Azmi, founder of the Fadia Survive & Thrive initiative in Kuwait, emphasized the crucial role of lifestyle choices in maintaining overall wellness and improving organ function, ultimately extending functional age, which refers to how well one’s body operates compared to their chronological age. This means that someone may be chronologically older yet have the vitality and functionality of a younger individual, highlighting the importance of proactive health management and lifestyle adjustments in achieving a longer, healthier life.
