ABU DHABI // Rafah Mahmood had her first scan for breast cancer last year. It was an act that ultimately saved her life.
Originally from Iran, Ms Mahmood, 56, is from a culture where such topics are not discussed, and where knowledge is limited. But thanks to the Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, she decided to take a mammogram.
"By chance I went to have a mammogram last year. I had not felt anything abnormal but results showed something was different.
Two weeks later, Ms Mahmood was told she had early-stage breast cancer and would require surgery, chemotherapy, and possibly radiation treatment. While the diagnosis was devastating, it was early enough to do something about it.
"The doctor asked me if I would prefer to have the lump and area around it removed, or a mastectomy. I said, 'take all of the breast'."
Ms Mahmood also underwent a course of chemotherapy, causing her to lose her hair temporarily.
On April 29 she was told her cancer was in remission. But Ms Mahmood is aware that her story is very different to others' who have suffered breast cancer in the Middle East. "Sometimes people do not want to talk about their own experiences because of shame," she says. "I wasn't worried about talking about it with my family, even my friends but I know there were others who did not like to talk."
She says families often believe that hereditary breast cancer is more common than it is. Statistics show that a small percentage of breast cancer cases are hereditary.
"The worst thing is when the lady has many daughters and others think it is all about family history. They want to keep it a secret because some people will not want to be engaged to the daughters."
As soon as Ms Mahmood sought treatment at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi, she joined the Ladies of Courage support group which helps those affected by the disease. Dr Trish Snozyk, a senior consultant in family medicine at SKMC, leads the group on the third Thursday of every month.
"It was not an easy thing to set up. It is still a very small group. There are about 50 women being treated here but the average number of women at the group is five," she says. "The most we have had is 15. People do not go outside the family for support. The concept is completely novel." Most of the women are in their 50s or 60s. But she says, there are younger women who seek advice on the phone rather than in person.
munderwood@thenational.ae
To find out more about the Ladies of Courage, call 02 610 4003.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
The biog
DOB: 25/12/92
Marital status: Single
Education: Post-graduate diploma in UAE Diplomacy and External Affairs at the Emirates Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: I love fencing, I used to fence at the MK Fencing Academy but I want to start again. I also love reading and writing
Lifelong goal: My dream is to be a state minister
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company profile
Name: Steppi
Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic
Launched: February 2020
Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year
Employees: Five
Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings
Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year
Match info
Who: India v Afghanistan
What: One-off Test match, Bengaluru
When: June 14 to 18
TV: OSN Sports Cricket HD, 8am starts
Online: OSN Play (subscribers only)
WITHIN%20SAND
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Crazy Rich Asians
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan
Four stars
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
