Breast Cancer Screening Project in Kurdistan

Breast Cancer Screening Programme in Kurdistan is now on KMSF website. Please click here

Race for Life

Kara Agha hopes to raise awareness, amongst organisers and those she is running with, about Breast Cancer in Kurdistan and how women are completely undereducated on the subject.

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Bji Kurdistan and Bji Kurdish Women

Stories of Breast Cancer Victims

Written by: Sallar Kalle (a Registered Nurse student at GCC)

Hopeless, that is the word most often attributed to friends and family members of women with breast cancer. This disease, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women, is "reaching an epidemic for women in Kurdistan". 'Raise Breast Cancer Awareness in Kurdistan' was recently launched and has quickly become an international campaign. Facebook groups, Articles, blogs, videos, flyers, interviews, among other forms of media, have been utilized to raise awareness for breast cancer. While other campaigners have been actively working on proposals, grants, advertisements, etc, I decided to make it more personal and hear stories of victims and/or their family and friends.

After emailing hundreds of people, I was able to find three ladies who agreed to be interviewed and out of those three, all requested to keep the names of the victims anonymous. The first response I received was from Zhuwan Shwani, whose second cousin, 45, did not seek medical assistance when the pains in her breasts began to increase. Shwani mentions that her family was opposed to taking her to the doctors at first but later on her son recommended her to go check it out. She further explains, "Breast cancer in Kurdistan is very complicated, the whole idea of it is like a taboo, it is never mentioned and women don't seek help fast enough." When her cousin finally sought help, it was too late for her. "She put off going for a mammogram, and when she did get one, they told her that it was already too large and too spread out", resulting in Breastectomy (removing of breasts). This was also the result of Shanaz's family friend. Shanaz explains that this individual "had polyps in her chest and the polyps were removed; however, doctors did not follow up with her to check and see if the area of the polyps was infected or not. She started having pains in her chest, so she went to see a doctor.” She later sought treatment in Iran; however, similar to Zhuwan Shwani’s cousin, the cancer was revealed at a late stage, which also resulted in the removal of her breasts. A year later, she died from the disease. In Kurdistan, there are mammography machines, the issue lies in the lack of treatments. As Kurdish doctors have been pointing out, even if the cancer is detected in its earliest stages, how are we to cure them without treatment?

My third interviewee, Snawbar Aref, told me about her aunt's sister-in-law, "a woman destined to live a difficult life". She tells me about her trip back to Kurdistan in 2007, when the young woman told her, "I have sharp pains in my breasts and a lump the size of a pea. I don't know what it is." Snawbar explains, "My inner instinct kicked in. I didn't want to say anything in front of her but I urged her to get it checked out by a doctor immediately. Two days later, she went to the doctor and as I feared, my instinct did not fail me. She was in a very late stage of the disease. I wish I could explain to you the look on her face. She had lost all hope… her heart shattered. She later isolated herself from her friends and family. She would rarely eat, laugh or smile. We always supported her and tried everything to make her feel better. I don't think she listened to a word we said though. I couldn't believe the young lady who was always smiling and laughing turned into a lifeless woman who cared for nothing." Trying desperately to hold her tears back, Snowbar concludes, "In the beginning of 2008, a life of a 34 year-old woman was ended by breast cancer."

While conducting these interviews, I, too, found it very difficult to hold my tears back. Imagine what the outcomes would have been had these women gone for screenings earlier. Let’s work together to ensure a better future for women in Kurdistan. Let’s give hope back to Kurdish women!

Voice of America

Helene Sairany and I were interviewed by Voice of America on Friday December 26. We are hoping it will will raise better awareness among Kurds all over the world.

مێزگردێـك سه‌باره‌ت به‌ هۆشـیاركردنه‌وه‌ی خانمانی كوردستان له‌ نه‌خۆشی شێرپه‌نجه‌ی مه‌مك
له لایه‌‌ن ده‌خیلی شـه‌ممۆ 27/12/2008

ژماره‌یه‌ك خانمی گه‌نجی كورد له‌ ئه‌مه‌ریكا هه‌وڵێـكیان ده‌سـتپـێـكردووه‌ بۆ هۆشـیاركردنه‌وه‌ی خانمانی كوردسـتان له‌ مه‌ترسـیـیه‌كانی نه‌خۆشی شـێرپه‌نجه‌ی مه‌مك.

هاوكارمان ده‌خیلی شه‌ممۆ مێزگردی ئه‌م هه‌فته‌یه‌ی بۆ ئه‌م بابه‌ته‌ ته‌رخان‌كردووه‌ و ئه‌م به‌ڕێزانه‌ش میوانانی به‌رنامه‌كه‌ بوون:

هێلین سه‌یرانی، خوێندكاری دكتۆرا له‌ زانكۆی نۆرث ئیسترن و لێـكۆڵه‌ر له‌ زانكۆی هارڤه‌رد.

نوها سه‌راج، خوێندكاری زانكۆی ئه‌ریزۆنا سـته‌یت.

ده‌توانن گوێبیسـتی ده‌قی مێزگرده‌كه‌ بن له‌ ڕێـگه‌ی كلیـكـكردنی ئه‌و فایله‌ ده‌نـگیـیانه‌ی ده‌سته‌ چه‌پ‌، ماوه‌كه‌ی 14:05 خوله‌كه‌.

Click below to listen:

Be Kurdî

Aya ezanîn le sallî 2010 da, 1.5 milyon kes le cîhanda pêyan raegeyênirê ke şêrpencey memikîyan heye?

Herweha dezanî, "şêrpencey memik bote nexoşîyekî billaw le naw afretanî Kurdistan da?

Eger gringîyekî ewto nedirê be hoşîyar kirdinewey afretan bo şêrpencey memik û zanîyarî pêdan sebaret be çonêtî agadarbûn le nîşane seretayekanî şêrpencey memik, herêmî Kurdistan berizbuneweyekî zor le jimarey tûşbun be sherpencey memik bexoyewe debînêt.

- Dr. Zryan Osman Yones
Wezîrî tendirûstî

Le Kurdistan, şêrpencey memik be şêweyekî tirsinaktir teşene deka lenaw afretanda û le temenekî genctirîşda le çaw afretanî cihan.

Le Kurdistan, be hoy dreng pêzanînî hebûnî şêrpencey memik le afretanda, em nexoşîye tuşbuwan le mawey 6 mang bo sallêk da gyanîan ledest deden, be pêçewaney willatanî tirewe ke tuşbuwanî ke nexoşekanî şêrpencey memik çend sallekî zor paş nîşane kirdini nexoşîyeke dejîn.

Be şêweyekî giştî le cîhanda şêrpencey memik hokarî yekemî qurbanîdanî afretane le temenî 40 bo 55 sall. Bellam la Kurdistan afretanî genctirîş tuşî debin.

Wezîrî tendirustî aşkiray dekat ke kemî zanyarî tendirustî, kemî deramet, kemî kerestey pêwîst, û kemî lêkollînewe hokarin bo zîyad bûnî şêrpencey memik le Kurdistan da.

Xo pişknîn harî karî pizîşk dekat ke şêrpenceke zutir bidozrêtewe. Zu dozînewey şêrpence karêkî rastew xo dekate ser çareser kirdnî nexoşîyeke.


Be pêy Wezîrî Tendirusty, Hewler blindtrîn rêjey şêrpencey memikî heye le nawçeke. Le nexoşxaney afretan 3 diktorî neştergerî, 3 diktorî "Pathology be Kurdi" rojî 3 car le hefteyekda nexoşî şerpenceyan bo denêrêt le layan diktorekanî nawçeke.

Tony Millerî Profîsor, pispore le zu dest nîşankirdinî şêrpencey memik da le Damezirawey Tendirustî Cîhanî (WHO)

Dway zanînî eme kêşe gewreye, natwanî taze piştgwêy xey. Destî yarmetî bo ew afiretane dirêj ken. Peywendî biken bem emailewe - breastcancerkurdistan@gmail.com

Translated: Nuha - living her dream as an activist

Scroll down for the original article in Swedish, written by Gurgin Bakircioglu

2008-12-03 Nuha Azad Sarraj is a 19-year-old activist living in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. She and her family left their hometown Suleymani, in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq), when she was little. “There are only 250 Kurds living here”, says Nuha. But where Nuha lives, it does not matter - she wants to be active regardless.

When Nuha came to the U.S., she learned English and quickly integrated with society. At the same time, her father organized a course in Kurdish for the children living in the neighborhood, so that they would not forget their language.

Currently, Nuha is an undergraduate student at Arizona State University where she studies political science with a minor in Religion. “Politics has played a significant role in my life, "says Nuha.

Nuha was reading a report on the high number of women who are victims of breast cancer in south Kurdistan and was immediately interested in doing something about it. Now she conducts an international campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer in south Kurdistan.

How did you come up with the idea of starting this campaign?

As a Kurdish Youth Club member, we always aim to find new ways to help better the lives of Kurds both in Kurdistan and abroad. With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I decided our youth group needed to get involved. I then searched different sites for more information and I happened to type Kurd and breast cancer into the Google search engine. An article about women in Kurdistan immediately caught my attention. As I read the first few lines, my jaw dropped. I was shocked! I didn't want to believe what I was reading.
I wrote letters to various breast cancer awareness websites literally begging them to help. Unfortunately, I have yet to receive any useful response. Then I sought the assistance of friends and family. I sent an email out to my lady friends and the positive responses came pouring in. Before I knew it, I had doctors emailing me from different countries. The most dedicated individuals in communities across the world have been contacting me to tell me they are on board and are fully supporting the cause. Knowing I am not tackling this project alone is reassuring and pushes me to work harder.

What do you want to do with your life?

I want to dedicate it to liberating my Kurdistan, which is why I chose Political Science as my major. I will work hard to obtain a career that allows me to serve my people and my country.

Whom or what has given you the strength to be an activist?

My father has always had a positive influence on me. He taught me to love who I am and where I've come from. He continuously stresses the importance of maintaining our identities. My parents have contributed greatly to the Kurdish cause and I want my life to be a reflection of theirs.

Is it something every Kurdish girl can be?

The Arizona branch of Kurdish Youth Club is mainly comprised of women. As a matter of fact, all of my Kurdish girlfriends are activists. If my mother, under Saddam Hussein's reign along with five children, was able to be an activist, there is no reason Kurdish girls can't be today. It's a matter of loving your country.

What is your message to the Kurds in Sweden?

I have already seen a great level of dedication within the Kurdish community in Sweden. The Kurdish cause is a unique and difficult one and we as Kurds need to make sure we move forward, set goals and aim to achieve them. In the near future, I wish to see a good line of communication between the youth in the states and those of Sweden. There are no barriers for a United Kurdish Community.

How can they help you in your campaign?

Kurds in Sweden can help by bringing awareness to the severity of breast cancer in Kurdistan. Write letters to awareness sites and tell them the facts: KRG's Minister for Health Dr. Zryan Osman Yones points out that, "This disease in Kurdistan is more aggressive than in other countries; here, those who are affected by this disease will die within six months to one year, but in other countries a woman may continue to live with the cancer for several years."

I know in the United States hospitals often donate unused machinery to other hospitals across the globe. If Kurds in Sweden could find a way to collect donations and/or equipments, women in Kurdistan could benefit from them greatly. There are other ways they can help and they can contact us at kycarizona@gmail.com to find out how.

Nuha - lever sin dröm som aktivist

Written in Swedish by: Gurgin Bakircioglu gurgin.bakircioglu@beyan.net

2008-12-03 Nuha Azad Sarraj är en 19-årig aktivist som bor i Phoenix, Arizona i USA. Hon och hennes familj lämnade deras hemstad Suleymani i södra Kurdistan (norra Irak) när hon var liten. Där bor bara 250 kurder, säger Nuha. Men var Nuha befinner sig spelar ingen roll - hon vill vara aktiv oavsett vart hon bor.

När Nuha kom till USA som liten integrerade hon sig snabbt, där lärde hon sig engelska snabbt och blev en del av samhället. Samtidigt organiserade Nuhas far en kurdiska kurs för barnen i området de bor i för att de inte skulle glömma sitt språk.

I dagsläget är Nuha en andraårsstudent på Arizona State University där hon studerar statsvetenskap tillsammans med teologiska studier. Politik har varit något väldigt centralt i mitt liv, säger Nuha.

Nuha läste en rapport om det höga antalet kvinnor som fallit offer för bröstcancer i södra Kurdistan, hon blev omedelbart intresserad av att göra något åt saken. Nu bedriver hon en internationell kampanj för att öka medvetenheten om bröstcancer i södra Kurdistan.

Hur kom du på ideén om att starta den här kampanjen?

- Jag är medlem i Kurdish Youth Club och vi finner alltid något att göra för Kurdistan eller kurderna i diasporan, med oktober månad som bröstcancerns medvetenhet bestämde vi oss i vår klubb att bli aktiva inom denna fråga. Efter att jag sökte lite på internet efter mer information hittade jag en artikel om bröstcancer i Kurdistan som fångade min uppmärksamhet, efter att jag läste några rader från artikeln blev jag helt chockad! Jag kunde inte förstå att det var sant det jag läste.

- Jag började skicka flera mail till större organisationer och hemsidor som arbetade för att uppmärksamma bröstcancer och bad de att hjälpa mig, olyckligtvis har jag inte fått någon hjälpande hand eller positiv respons ännu. Jag började vända mig till släkten och vännerna och tog även kontakt med flera läkare som stöttar mig och hjälper oss så mycket de kan, nu känner jag verkligen att vi inte tacklar det här problemet ensamma.

Vad vill du göra med ditt liv?

- Jag dedikerar det för att frigöra mitt Kurdistan, därför valde jag statsvetenskap som mitt huvudämne, jag kommer jobba hårdare än alla andra för att bygga upp mig en karriär så att jag kan tjäna mitt folk och mitt land.

Vem eller vad har gett dig styrkan och självförtroendet till att bli en aktivist?

- Min pappa har alltid haft ett positivt inflytande över mig. Han lärde mig att älska mig själv som jag är och vart jag kom ifrån, han har alltid påmint oss om att aldrig glömma bort vart vi kommer ifrån. Mina föräldrar har verkligen offrat sig mycket för den kurdiska saken och jag vill att mitt liv ska bli en spegelbild av deras liv.

Är det du gör något som varje kurdisk flicka kan bli eller göra?

- Arizonas gren av the Kurdish Youth Club omfattar huvudsakligen kvinnor. Alla mina kurdiska väninnor är aktivister. Min mamma under Saddams Irak en aktivist samtidigt som hon tog hand om fem barn, det finns ingen anledning till att kurdiska flickor inte kan bli aktiva i dagsläget. Om du älskar dina rötter så blir du lättare en aktivist.

Vad har du att hälsa till kurderna I Sverige?

- Jag har redan sett hur de exil kurderna i Sverige arbetar och de arbetar på högsta ort i Sverige. Den kurdiska saken är unik och svårt att förstå sig på men kurderna måste ständigt röra sig fram, det har de gjort hos er och är mycket målmedvetna. Jag hoppas på att få arbeta med kurderna i Sverige inom en nära framtid, jag hoppas kurderna här i USA och i Sverige kan arbeta närmre, det finns inga barriärer för en enad kurdisk församling.

Hur kan de hjälpa dig i din kampanj?

- Kurder i Sverige kan öka medvetenheten av allvaret med bröstcancer i Kurdistan. Skicka ett brev till hemsidor som uppmärksammar bröstcancer. Kurdistans Regionala Regerings (KRG) hälsominister Dr Zryan Osman Yones har pekat ut att "den här sjukdomen i Kurdistan är mer aggressiv än i andra länder, här finns de kvinnor som dör efter sex månader eller inom ett år. I andra länder kan kvinnor med upptäckt bröstcancer leva i flera år".

- Jag vet att amerikanska sjukhus brukar donera oanvända sjukhus maskiner och annat material till sjukhus runt om I världen. Om kurder i Sverige kunde finna ett sätt att samla ihop donationer och maskiner så tror jag att kvinnorna i Kurdistan verkligen skulle ha användning för detta.

Breast Cancer Awareness in Kurdistan - Video

Hope for Kurdish Women

Written by: Sallar Kalle (a Registered Nurse student at GCC)


Over 9,000 men, women, and children were present at Tempe Beach Park in Arizona for the 2008 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. Among those 9000 were our own Kurdish Youth Club members who joined the walk not only to support breast cancer in the United States but to also raise awareness for women in Kurdistan. KYC members passed out flyers and informed people of the condition Kurdish women were in. Many enthusiastically asked questions, expressed their concerns, and wholeheartedly offered assistance.

Over 9000 men, women and children joined the walk

The 5K walk started around 8:00 AM and ended with the signing of a pink fire truck along with music and dancing! Cars passing by honked their horns and police officers, firefighters, along with civilians high - fived us and cheered us on. When the walk ended, hundreds of people waited at the finish line to hug us while applauding our efforts. Everyone proceeded to sign the pink fire truck and commemorated lives lost to breast cancer.

"The Pink Fire Truck"

As we were leaving, my mom turned to me with tears in her eyes and said, “This is the kind of support Kurdish women need. Do you think anything like this can be done for them?” I encouragingly told her there is no doubt in my mind and if Kurds all over the world were willing to unite, we would succeed in this battle against breast cancer! So join us! Let’s unite to save lives!

What if?

Written by: Jala Hashim (a Kurdish Youth Club member and a senior in high school)

What would you do if a woman in your life had breast cancer? What if it was found at a stage that was too late to cure? It is tragic enough to have breast cancer and on top of that not knowing you have it is even worse. "This disease (breast cancer) in Kurdistan is more aggressive than in other countries; here, those who are affected by this disease will die within six months to one year, but in other countries a woman may continue to live with the cancer for several years," says Dr Zryan Osman Yones, Kurdistan Regional Government’s Minister of Health. The number of women with breast cancer in Kurdistan is becoming terrifyingly high. The Minister also states that, "Usually, breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 40 and 55, but in Kurdistan younger women also are affected by it." If we do not provide these women with proper “health education, financial support, supplies and research” the “Kurdistan Region is likely to see staggering numbers of women die from the disease.” As Kurds and as Kurdish women, we need to unite and bring awareness to this issue. The first and easiest step to take is reminding them that breast cancer does occur and if caught at earlier stages chances of curing the disease are much higher than when caught at a later stage. We can educate them on self-exams so they can check for lumps. Join the campaign Kurdish Youth Club has started and together we can win the fight against breast cancer!