JEDDAH, 27 January 2006 — Cancer patients explained how they have been fighting the dreaded disease at an interactive cancer patient care session organized at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center here on Tuesday.

“Thanks to my cancer, I feel I’m close to Allah,” said a middle-aged Pakistani woman taking part in the meeting.

The 37-year-old mother of two said she was initially scared of lymphoma when it was detected two years ago. She even went to London for a second opinion and tests.

“But for treatment I chose to come back here and have since undergone four cycles of chemotherapy,” said the patient who hails from Karachi and is under the care of Dr. Mohammad Aslam, head section and consultant, adult hematology and bone marrow transport, at KFSH&RC.

What made her determination to fight the disease strong was her repeated visits to Makkah. “I’ve been regularly offering prayers and have developed a strong will and determination to overcome the problem,” said the woman who requested anonymity as her mother was not aware of her problem.

She said she took the problem lightly when her symptoms including weakness and fatigue were conclusively tested to be lymphoma. “Instead of losing my sleep and health, I chose to fight it out with all determination,” said the woman who was complimented for her stand by doctors and other patients.

Some women were present with their children who were being treated for blood cancer or leukemia.

Patients and their families said they wanted to learn all they could about leukemia and the treatment choices so they could take an active part in decisions about medical care.

“When a person is diagnosed with leukemia, shock and stress are natural reactions. These feelings may make it difficult to think of every question to ask the doctor. Also, patients may find it hard to remember everything the doctor says,” said a cancer specialist.

Aslam said his department was the second largest referral center in the Kingdom for blood cancer and bone marrow transplants. It currently handles 30 cancer cases including seven children.

The cancer support group of the adult hematology and BMT section of the hospital’s oncology department organized the event.