Breast Cancer Awareness Month: This New Video Series Is Working To End Regional Stigmas Surrounding The Disease
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia and Estée Lauder Companies have joined forces this October, as we unveil a new series that explore topics related to the disease, while raising awareness and working to end the taboo that comes with discussing the “C” word
Did you know that breast cancer is the second-highest cause of cancer-related death in both men and women in Saudi Arabia?
Neither did we – which is precisely why it’s important, year after year, October after October, to continue exploring and discussing topics related to the disease; unfortunately, the stigma surrounding the “C” word in the region often prevents us from having these very important conversations, opportunities to share knowledge that could very well save someone else’s life.
With this month being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Bazaar is joining forces with Estée Lauder Companies to bring you a series of videos created to coincide with the company’s 2021 Breast Cancer Campaign, each one related to a different topic and how the disease impacts the lives of the individuals. The series is both informative and empowering, as it works to shed light on real people from the MENA region who have been affected by breast cancer in some manner, removing the taboo of openly discussing the disease.
Premiering every Monday at 12:00 GST throughout the month of October on Bazaar’s channels, the series is comprised of four different episodes: The Importance of Early Detection; The Journey of Recovery; Life After Breast Cancer; and An Advocate is Born.
Here, we share the full schedule here, along with a few facts about breast cancer and how it disproportionately affects both women and men from the region.
Episode One: The Importance of Early Detection
In the first episode, Dr. Sarah Sharif sits down with host Graziella Kamel and Rana Baydoun-Reckart, a breast cancer survivor, as they discuss the importance of self-checking, the stigma surrounding the disease, and how early detection is key when it comes to saving lives.
Graziella Kamel wears a blouse by Marella; Rana Baydoun-Reckart wears a necklace by Avenue 4; Dr. Sarah Sharif wears a jumpsuit by Ralph Lauren Collections, shoes by By Far and earrings by Elisabetta Franchi, all outfits from Ounass.
Episode Two: The Journey of Recovery
In the second episode Josette Awaad and Hanifa Meslem, both breast cancer survivors, sit down with host Graziella Kamel to share their own respective recovery journeys.
Episode Three: Life After Breast Cancer
In the third episode breast cancer survivors Linda Berlot, who has been cancer-free for a decade, and Tina Chagoury, two years out from her recovery, sit down with host Graziella Kamel to share how their outlook on life has changed since being diagnosed with the disease.
Episode Four: An Advocate is Born
In the fourth episode host Graziella Kamel speaks with Haifa Zakaria and Mr. Hani Soubra about the importance of support and advocacy for those battling the disease.
Did You Know…
• Breast cancer in UAE was top-ranked cancer among all new cancer cases in both genders, representing 19.64% of all malignant cases
• Breast cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in the UAE, with an estimated average of 110 deaths per year (24.4% of cancer deaths in women, in comparison to 18.2% globally)
• The highest frequencies of breast cancer cases were found amongst age groups 45-49 years-old in UAE citizens
• Breast is the most common cancer in women, representing 36.67% of all malignant cases in females in UAE
• Breast cancer counts for 29% of new cases in KSA, making it into the top five most frequently diagnosed cancers in women within The Kingdom
• Breast Cancer is the 2nd highest cause of cancer death in both sexes in KSA
(Sources: UAE National Cancer Registry (UAE-NCR) dated 2017, IARC Global Cancer Observatory KSA 2020.)
Check back soon for new episodes, interviews with experts and information.
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