A group of breast cancer survivors has launched a campaign of displaying the pink ribbon as a symbol of fighting the disease. This is part of the program to treat October as the international Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The program supports early detection of breast cancer and creating an awareness among women to fight the disease. Dr. Samiya Al-Amoudi, a cancer survivor and consultant obstetrician gynecologist, said medical technology in the Kingdom was good and the the only negative thing is that Saudi women lack awareness about this deadly disease. “Women need to do a regular check up after the age of 35,” she said. Dr. Samiya was one of the first Saudi women to share her experiences with the disease. She wrote about her struggle with breast cancer by sharing stories in books, newspapers and television interviews. “There is a lack of awareness among most of the women especially in remote areas,” said Dr. Samiya . In 2006, a joint US-Mideast partnership for breast cancer awareness research was launched. The partnership, funded by the Middle East partnership initiative, unites the medical expertise of the University of Texas cancer center with local organizations in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Samiya's case has become a symbol of the fight against breast cancer. She even got laurels from Mrs. Laura Bush, wife of the US President George Bush. “Dr. Samiya Al-Amoudi is a living proof of survivor's power to speak out and save lives. In a culture where many women are ashamed to discuss cancer, Dr. Samiya was one of the first Saudi women to share her experience,” said Laura Bush at a recent White House function to observe this year's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Pink Ribbon Campaign aims to propagate the achievements in breast cancer research and raise additional funds. “In Saudi Arabia, the increasing number of reported cases of breast cancer is alarming but many cases remain unaccounted for, especially among women living in rural areas,” said Ayman Linjawi, breast cancer surgeon at King Faisal Hospital in Jeddah. __
