AYA IBRAHIM

SUDAN_For the first time since the outbreak of the conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, Khartoum Hospital for Tumor Treatment, known as “Al-Dhurra,” located in the center of the Sudanese capital, is celebrating Pink October, the World Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This year's celebration comes after Khartoum Hospital resumed its activity under extremely complex circumstances, following the massive destruction it suffered due to the conflict, to return once again to performing its role in providing tumor treatment services and raising awareness of the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

Al-Radia Jibril confirms Khartoum Hospital for Tumor Treatment's keenness to spread the culture of prevention and early detection among women, and to raise the level of societal awareness of cancer and ways to prevent it. She noted that during the month of October, the hospital organized a number of events on the occasion of "Pink October," including awareness campaigns about the importance of self-examination and early detection of breast cancer, alongside calling for periodic examinations.

She said that the hospital's resumption of its activity after the conflict constituted great joy for breast cancer patients, in light of the challenges they faced during the period of work stoppage, including the difficulty of reaching the hospital under complex security and humanitarian conditions. She noted that a number of patients were able to continue treatment and reach the recovery stage, while large numbers of patients lost their follow-up booklets due to the conflict, which increased the difficulty of completing treatment paths.

Al-Radia Jibril confirmed that since the launch of "Pink October" events, the hospital has been receiving between 16 and 17 cases daily, including follow-up cases and early examination to detect breast cancer.

From the beginning of October until its end, Khartoum Hospital for Tumor Treatment "Al-Dhurra" opened its doors daily to receive women and conduct early breast cancer screening free of charge, in a step aimed at enhancing awareness of the disease and emphasizing the importance of periodic examination and attention to women's health.

This initiative comes within the framework of "Pink October" events, and also reflects the importance of the role played by "Al-Dhurra" Hospital in the field of tumor treatment and breast cancer awareness in Sudan, despite the difficult conditions imposed by the conflict.

For her part, Nahed Farouk, head of the Radiotherapy Department at Khartoum Hospital, explained that the hospital was keen to revive "Pink October" events after they had stopped during the years of conflict, considering that attention to this occasion represents a renewed commitment to breast cancer awareness, enhancing early diagnosis opportunities, and providing continuous support to patients.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan, the ability of hospitals and health centers to provide cancer treatment services has declined, as many centers in Khartoum stopped working, while other units in some states continued to provide their services with limited capabilities. This deprived a large number of cancer patients, including women, of opportunities to obtain treatment regularly, amid the interruption of medicines and the displacement of medical cadres.

Obeida Adam, who works in the hospital's laboratory, indicates that a large number of women visit the hospital for early examinations, and they are in a state of anxiety and tension for fear of being diagnosed with breast cancer.

She says that the hospital's workers are keen to reassure women and confirm to them that visiting a hospital specialized in tumor treatment does not necessarily mean having cancer. She called on the concerned authorities to intensify health awareness programs within communities, and to introduce women to the importance of early detection of breast cancer and the necessity of conducting periodic examinations.

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