A breast cancer patient, treated at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), has shared her experience and highlighted the excellent care and treatment she received.
In connection with the ongoing Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Manal Ihsane El Badaoui, a 37-year-old mother of two, has shared her story about her experience as a breast cancer patient at HMC.
Manal was diagnosed with breast cancer one year ago. With no family history of breast cancer, Manal’s cancer was initially detected when she noticed a lump in her right breast. She went for an ultrasound and was then referred for a mammogram which was followed by further screenings and a biopsy.
The biopsy detected breast cancer and Manal was diagnosed with stage 3, grade 2 Infiltrative Ductal Carcinoma in her right breast. Unfortunately, this type is one of 15% of breast cancers which do not show up on a mammogram and are frequently at an advanced stage when diagnosed.
Manal recalled that her experience with HMC has been great. “The referral system is very organised, and the advanced clinical nurse specialists and the rest of the staff are all experienced, competent and very friendly. The modern facilities are very impressive and the doctors and nurses see me quickly at each appointment. All these attributes make me feel very comfortable and at ease during my treatment.”
Manal also highlighted the importance of having the support of her family and friends, explaining how she could not have got through the tough moments in her fight against breast cancer without the prayers, wishes and support of all the people around her.
Manal said: “If there is anything that I could say to other women going through a similar experience I would tell them to know that they have the strength within them to get through each challenge.  Breast cancer is something that happens to you and does not need to define you. The sooner you detect breast cancer, the greater your chances of survival are. It is, therefore, important to get the message out to everyone and help save lives.”
She added, “I believe in being proactive, adopting a healthy lifestyle, following a proper diet, going for yearly mammograms and carrying out regular self-examinations. Ultimately, even if you cannot prevent breast cancer, you can minimise the chance of it developing and also lessen its impact on your life.”