JEDDAH, 25 October 2007 — In a very amiable setting, US first lady Laura Bush had coffee yesterday with a group of Saudi breast cancer survivors and medical volunteers at the residence of the US consul general.
Bush listened to the women’s struggle with breast cancer. The group said her presence was an inspiration, especially since Bush’s mother is a breast cancer survivor.
“Having you visit us was a great support,” said Amina Gamlo expressing her gratitude. “Your interest has attracted everybody else’s attention to breast cancer.”
Gamlo is a 36-year-old mother of a recently born baby daughter. She became pregnant two months after finishing a five-year Tamoxifen course, which she underwent to prevent her getting breast cancer again. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001.
When asked about her impression of Saudi women, Bush said: “I expected people to be very private and that it would be difficult to communicate. But they’re like women everywhere. They are strong. It’s been really a wonderful trip.”
Through the mediation of Dr. Samia Al-Amoudi, 49, Arabic-speaking women were able to converse with Bush and convey their remarks and greetings to her. Al-Amoudi, assistant professor at King Abdulaziz University, chose to break the silence about her battle with breast cancer after being diagnosed in April 2006.
“This breaching of what I call ‘the wall of silence’ has been the key to raising public awareness,” said Al-Amoudi. “The US faced similar problems until celebrities like Shirley Temple, Betty Ford and Nancy Regan broke the silence. And it was a pledge between two American sisters that gave us the world famous Susan G. Komen Center for the Cure.”
Reporter Somaia Al-Thagafi, 31, was diagnosed with breast cancer less than two months ago. She was in London undergoing news writing and English language courses when she discovered a lump in her breast.
“My husband advised me to undergo breast screening in London. I was so sure I wasn’t sick. The idea of breast cancer didn’t cross my mind,” said Al-Thagafi.
Al-Thagafi thought she was going to die. She was in a state of shock and wondered why she had the disease. Her husband encouraged her to visit a breast cancer clinic in London. The visit elevated her spirits and the people reached out a helping hand to support her.
She flew to Paris and joined Institut Curie for chemotherapy group sessions. At first Al-Thagafi was hesitant to join the group, but she was relieved she did. “I really admired the spirit of these women. They helped boost my self-confidence and raised my positive attitude,” she said. “A part of my struggle actually involved sharing the information with my family. Saudi society needs to be made aware so they can help breast cancer patients and not wear them down with grief.”
Al-Thagafi said that women must understand that there is a huge difference between being sick and the concept of submitting to one’s destiny. “Women must understand that they can fight the disease and they can still live,” she said.
Erin Walsh, senior adviser at the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, believed that without awareness it is really difficult for women to cope with breast cancer. Her hopes for the US-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research is to spread the experience the US has gained through learning and research.
“There’s certainly going to be changes and tweaks,” said Walsh. “But the Saudi Cancer Society along with Susan G. Komen for the Cure plans to share information in many areas, including community assessment, volunteer and organization development, awareness and education, fund-raising, and advocacy.”
Lama Al-Sulaiman, 41, is a board member of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a nutritionist and a breast cancer survivor. The experience of having breast cancer was a turning point in her personality. She also believes cancer is not as horrific as people think.
“Cancer was an amazing experience for me. I was always hyperactive and energetic. After my journey with breast cancer I started seeing things from a different perspective,” said Al-Sulaiman.
According to her, women desperately need a support system and need to be educated about the disease. “I hope this partnership is not just a lot of propaganda to look good. We need to come up with goals and deadlines to actualize things. It’s a great initiative to get out of the box and get people together. So let’s talk less and do more,” she said.
At the end of the meeting, the group presented Bush with a humble gift as an appreciation of her support and visit. They gave her a traditional scarf and abaya with a pink ribbon that is regarded worldwide as an international symbol for breast cancer.
Bush wore the scarf and happily said, “We have sisterhood more than we’ve thought between American and Saudi women.”
Al-Sulaiman and Al-Amoudi have come together to create a group entitled “Breaking the Silence.” The group brings together not just survivors but women from the medical and business communities to support each other and help raise awareness by breaking the silence surrounding breast cancer in Saudi Arabia.
