Impacting Breast Cancer in Egypt this October

 Somewhere in the world, a woman dies from breast cancer every 68 seconds. In Egypt, this harsh reality is magnified by the cultural stigmas surrounding the disease.  Most breast cancer cases in Egypt are diagnosed at advanced stages, significantly reducing a patient’s chances for survival.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure^® is collaborating with the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt (BCFE), The Suzanne Mubarak Regional Center for Women’s Health and Development (SMC), The Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to showcase Egypt’s leadership in the fight against breast cancer and ignite the breast cancer movement throughout the region.  This collaboration is in support of the Ministry of Health's National Program to Combat Breast Cancer in Egypt.

This October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Komen will shine a light on the life-saving work of health professionals, advocates and survivors who are on the front lines of Egypt’s battle against breast cancer.  Komen will support and participate in a series of breast health education and outreach activities, including the following: 

• OCTOBER 21—PRESS EVENT KICKING OFF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS ACTIVITIES:  Themed “Breaking the Silence in Egypt,” this press event will feature U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Margaret Scobey, Egypt’s Minister of Health H.E. Dr Hatem El Gabaly, Susan G. Komen for the Cure President and CEO Hala Moddelmog, Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt Director Dr. Mohamed Shaalan, an SMC representative and an Egyptian breast cancer survivor.  Hosted by SMC in Alexandria and joined by leading breast cancer advocates from Egypt and nine countries in the region to expand the network of breast cancer survivors, educators and advocates throughout the Middle East.   
  
  
• OCTOBER 22—SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE^® REGIONAL TRAINING SEMINAR ON BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS:  Komen will lead a full-day training session at SMC in Alexandria for 25 Egyptian, Middle East and North Africa regional breast cancer advocates.  This practical, hands-on seminar will provide information and tools that can be used to start support groups as well as an opportunity to discuss the unique needs of countries in the region.  
  
  
• OCTOBER 23—EVE OF RACE RECEPTION AT THE MENA HOUSE:  Susan G. Komen for the Cure will host a special reception honoring H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak and Egyptian NGOs working on breast health education and outreach programs in Egypt.  Komen Founder Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, Medal of Freedom recipient and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control, will deliver remarks and be joined by a U.S. delegation of breast cancer advocates, survivors and donors supporting the mission.
  
  
• OCTOBER 24—EGYPT RACE FOR THE CURE^®:  The Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt (BCFE) will partner with Susan G. Komen for the Cure in hosting the first-ever Egypt Race for the Cure around the Pyramids of Giza, under the patronage of H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak.  Egyptian and Middle Eastern women will demonstrate their courage and strength as they break the silence and stigmas associated with breast cancer by participating in this historic event.  The Race for the Cure originated 26 years ago in Dallas, Texas and is recognized as the world’s largest and most successful series of run/walk events designed to break the silence about breast cancer, celebrate survivorship and raise awareness about early detection.  More than 130 annual Race for the Cure events are held across the globe attracting 1.5 million participants and over 100,000 volunteers.  Fourteen international Race events will take place in 2009.
  
  
• OCTOBER 22-27—U.S. DELEGATION TRIP:  Susan G. Komen for the Cure will bring a high-level delegation of advocates, donors and breast cancer survivors to Egypt.  Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, Komen Founder, Medal of Freedom recipient and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control, will lead the U.S. delegation.  The goals of the trip are to create an understanding of the state of breast cancer in Egypt through first-hand visits with medical professionals and patients, to witness the impact of collaboration between leading non-profit and government organizations, and actively engage the Delegation in raising awareness and funds for breast health programs in Egypt.  The delegates will also join the regional advocates in roundtable discussions on breast cancer in the region.
  
  
• OCTOBER 25—UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA’S 15^th ANNUAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY SYMPOSIUM ON BREAST DISEASE:  Since 1995, the University of Florida has been hosting the annual Multidisciplinary Symposium on Breast Disease. The symposium will take place at the Grand Hyatt in Cairo from October 24-27 with the support of BCFE, Egypt’s National Cancer Institute, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the American Cancer Society and others.  The purpose of the Symposium is to bring together leading medical experts from around the globe to address disparities in quality of care, preventative practices and clinical outcomes associated with breast cancer.  Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, Komen Founder, Medal of Freedom recipient and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control, will deliver the keynote address at the morning opening session of the Symposium on Sunday, October 25.
  
  

The Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt (BCFE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting breast cancer in Egypt.   BCFE is registered under the Ministry of Social Solidarity.  The organization’s ultimate objective is life without breast cancer. BCFE started its work with the community in 2004 by targeting women from all social and economic strata. Individually, they represent health care professionals, breast cancer survivors, and local advocates. Collectively, they are a driving force to bring breast cancer awareness, education, and screening to Egyptian women.  BCFE’s services include breast cancer awareness, early detection and patient programs as well as support groups. 

The Suzanne Mubarak Regional Centre for Women’s Health and Development (SMC) is a training and research centre active in all areas of women’s health and development, situated in Alexandria, Egypt.  It offers activities to women at large and to all professionals working in the area of women’s health and development in Egypt and friendly neighboring countries.  The SMC is governed by a Board of Trustees headed by H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, First Lady of Egypt and is under the direct control of H.E. the Minister of Health and Population.

The Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement is a non-profit non-governmental international association established in 2003. The first of its kind in the Middle East, it was created to harness the energy and creativity of all segments of society in the realization of a vision of peace. A vision which is based on a spirit of solidarity between peoples, on shared values and a mutual understanding of their common destiny. It is strongly committed to strengthening the involvement of women in peace building initiatives by highlighting alternative perspectives, exploring various options and ensuring that all efforts are attuned to human needs.




Founded in 1919, the Institute of International Education (IIE) (http://www.iie.org/)  is one of the world's most experienced global higher education and professional exchange organizations.  IIE has long worked to implement international training programs to build leadership skills and enhance the capacity of individuals and organizations to address local and global challenges. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Global Initiative is managed by IIE West Coast Center in San Francisco (http://www.iiesf.org/).

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health-Center for Communication Programs - CCP partners with organizations worldwide to design and implement strategic communication programs that influence political dialogue, collective action, and individual behavior; enhance access to information and the exchange of knowledge that improve health and health care; and conduct research to guide program design, evaluate impact, test theories, and advance knowledge in health communication.  For more information, visit www.jhuccp.org.

 

The Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt provides overall coordination of policy formulation, national data collection, quality control, monitoring and evaluation of the National Women’s Health Program (NWHP).  The National Breast Cancer Screening Program, a component of the NWHP, was launched in 2007 to improve the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.  Under the patronage of H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, the screening program utilizes mobile vans and static mammography units in general hospitals and targets women in underserved areas in Egypt. 

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the independent government agency that provides economic development and humanitarian assistance to advance U.S. economic and political interests overseas. During the past five years, USAID has worked closely with the Government of Egypt and local partners in collaborative efforts to improve the quality of life for all Egyptians.  Progress has been achieved through investments and technical assistance in the areas of education, economic growth, health, water management, agriculture, environment and natural resources, antiquities, and democracy and governance.  In the last thirty years, the U.S. government has contributed over $28 billion in economic assistance to Egypt, including $2 billion since 2004.

 

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is the world’s largest breast cancer organization and the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer with more than $1.3 billion invested to date.  The organization is a network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.  Komen for the Cure’s philosophy is to listen, learn, share and support.  While Komen offers best practices and lessons learned, the organization looks to partners on the ground to guide them through the cultural differences to ensure the work together is both appropriate and sustainable.  Komen was founded in 1982 by Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker who promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.