Dr Shaheenah Dawood says it’s an exciting time for oncology research and is spearheading change in cancer care in the UAE, making sure that all patients, whether they come from the Middle East or Africa, have access to medication and treatment.



THERE’S LAUGHTER IN THE BREAST CANCER WARD. Shaheenah Dawood is in her bright sunny office wearing a lab coat, a floral dress and a smile that can make anyone feel welcome and well.



The only thing that is infectious here, in these corridors at the Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Dubai where we meet, is her energy. Working 7AM to 10PM seeing cancer patients and giving them care and cure, this Consultant Medical Oncologist and Professor of



Clinical Oncology can’t afford to not be that ray of light and hope, and to the care-giving staff around her as well – such as during the lockdown in 2020, when she ordered cheerful pink, blue and yellow scrubs and PPE for those in her department.



But the Emirati doctor’s 24-page CV and the assortment of papers, accolades and awards to her name apart, there is passion in her voice, and serious purpose to her work.



“I always knew oncology is what I wanted to do,” begins Dawood. “And for several reasons. One, I’m a chatterbox, and I could talk as much as I wanted to these patients; the people you’re going to form long-term relationships with. Two, if you get a patient with cancer early on, you can cure them, and the satisfaction you get from curing that one patient, there’s nothing like it&#8230; The last decade has been truly exciting in the field of oncology more than any other specialty.”



Typifying everything the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aims to be in the realm of healthcare for the world, with the glistening city of Dubai becoming the hotbed of healthcare innovation and medical tourism in recent years, Dawood is at the forefront of leading that change, with research, clinical trials, personalized medicine and breakthroughs in oncology to vastly change patient outcomes.



She trained in medical oncology at McGill University Hospitals in Canada, sub-specialized in breast cancer management at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, served as an Editorial Fellow at the New England Journal of Medicine and has an MPH degree from the Harvard School of Public Health.



She could have stayed on in the United States but decided to return home more than a decade ago to become one of the first female oncologists at the time in the UAE, and make a difference.



“I think the UAE, with our leader, is just unbelievable in the way it has put women out there in the healthcare sector. I came in with so many ideas that the first thing I did was put those ideas aside, and say ‘I need to develop something here that’s accommodating to the people here’. I became the head of oncology at Dubai Health Authority, but there was a lot of work to do.



“I developed multidisciplinary tumor boards and comprehensive cancer care programs, working with an excellent group of people. And then I decided to break off and do something other than just clinical work, so I started the Excellence in Oncology Care Summit, which started off with 120 people, and last year, we had 4,000 attending virtually as well as in-person from across Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.”



The list goes on, and Dawood is now heading and establishing the oncology clinical trials program at Mediclinic City Hospital that will allow patients in the Middle East to access drugs they would otherwise not have been able to.



“Tests are horribly expensive, everywhere around the globe&#8230; There is data that compared to any other specialty, oncology medications cost the most&#8230; We need to have better access to treatment, and one of them is trying to overcome the cost&#8230; And we need to start addressing it seriously to be able to offer the same type of care to everyone, irrespective of their financial situation&#8230;



“I had a patient from Africa, I can tell you he sold his land to come here and get the medication. I have a lot of patients from Nigeria and Eritrea. We do hear their stories..,” says Dawood, her voice laced with concern but also hope.



In addition, she spends her time teaching at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University Of Medicine and Health Sciences and working with PhD and medical students on their research initiatives.



“The only thing that I keep telling the newer generation,” says the 40-something game-changer in the medical sector, “is that you can achieve what you set your mind to achieve by working hard, and that no problem is without a solution.”



Heartening words indeed in the world of cancer care.

Screenshot 2022-06-22 at 16.14.24

CANCER’S CURE: The Doctor Who is Spearheading Change in Cancer Care in the UAE

After battling months of treatment, cancer survivors often find a bigger struggle waiting for them when they return to work – the apathy of employers to reintegrate them into the system.



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Brenda Swanepoel (name changed to protect identity) calls herself “a breast cancer warrior”.



The 40-something, who works as a business developer in one of South Africa’s largest law firms, has endured the pain and discomfort of the much-feared doctor’s verdict – “you have cancer”. 



We meet Swanepoel on a warm Thursday morning in her Johannesburg office. Beneath her warm exterior is a woman still grappling with her diagnosis, still battling to adjust to life in the workplace in the aftermath of the ensuing treatment. 



“I was in the shower in December 2016 and something in me said ‘check your breast’. I used to be fairly diligent about it but I hadn’t gone for a mammogram for a long time,” she says. 



She clearly felt a lump.



“It was the size of a lymph node. I thought I better not be procrastinating this so I went to a radiologist,” says Swanepoel. 



The doctor told her she suspected breast cancer. The words cut deep into her being, eating her up as cancer does. 



“When he told me that it could be breast cancer, I knew I had cancer. I was lying on the bed and one little tear crept out of my eye.” 



That evening, she got home and told her partner of 25 years that the vacations they were intending on taking on weekends would be replaced by visits to the oncologist. 



In January last year, the doctor confirmed she had cancer. Her life was going to change forever. 



For the next six months, cancer dictated her diary. Seeing other cancer patients at the oncologist&#8217;s ward when she went for her first chemotherapy brought a further sense of denial. 



“I was like this is not really happening,” says Swanepoel. 



But the reality of cancer would soon kick in. She underwent the first of three operations within a week of being diagnosed. 



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I called my partner and said ‘we have to go to the breast surgeon at half past three’ and he said ‘I don’t do hospitals and I don’t do doctors’,” she says. </blockquote>



He was unsupportive throughout the duration of her chemo-treatment and she eventually parted ways with him. 



“One thing that you would always hear from any warrior is ‘the hardest part of their journey was their partners’,” she says. 



Her advice to them is to always put themselves first. 



“This is all about you, this journey is about you. Everyone else has to pull themselves together. It is all about you and your healing journey,” says Swanepoel.



The journey to recovery does not just affect your family and those close to you, the more painful fact is that it also has an impact on your career. 



Swanepoel was among the luckier few – in the beginning.



“My firm was amazing, they wanted me to go on leave…I thought they were out of their mind, I didn’t want any one’s pity because work is work. My attitude was that I am on a healing journey.”



She would work from home during the days she had chemotherapy and she could cope with the workload. 



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I was tired but I was coping at that stage. I did not want it [the breast cancer] to beat me. The firm was supportive and understanding because we have had a few cancer warriors in the firm.” </blockquote>



The treatment stages advanced and her work started to suffer as she was bereft of energy and struggled to focus. 



Some of the side-effects of chemo are constant nausea and weight-loss, in addition to excessive fatigue. 



“It started getting harder because I had to have weekly chemotherapy and on the day, I would be out of it, I would be gone. I would be sleepy on the chair and I would sleep at home, as you get your head up, it would be chemotherapy again. My firm tried to get me to go on special leave but I was resistant, but on the other hand, I was exhausting my sick days,” says Swanepoel. 



She ended up taking four months off for treatment and two months to recover. The medical leave was covered by an insurance policy her firm had for employees which pays them while they&#8217;re on leave.



Throughout the process, she was grateful; she also attended therapy to help deal with the situation. 



She returned to work in March this year, but says re-adjusting mentally and physically to the workplace is something medication can’t help with. 



“The hardest part of my journey has been coming back to work. It’s is not only about adjusting [to the work environment] after being away for six months, but the stamina you need for work is very different to the stamina you need for anything else,” she says. 



The reintegration has been stressful and she says a constructive, planned program of support at her organization has been missing since her returning to work full-time. 



“I didn’t realize how exhausted I was. People think because you were away for so long, you were resting, forgetting that you were injected with medication which exhausted you on a regular basis. You were not on holiday, you were healing and surviving,” she says.



It is a popular belief that cancer ends with chemotherapy.



“So everyone had this attitude, that cancer was last year so everything is normal this year. But that is not the case, a year of treatment requires a year of the recovery period,” says Swanepoel. 



And recovery is the hardest. 



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/life/2015/12/01/from-selling-bras-to-beating-breast-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="From Selling Bras To Beating Breast Cancer (opens in a new tab)">From Selling Bras To Beating Breast Cancer</a>



“You are not the same person you were. You have gone through major physical trauma and you have gone through major mental trauma.” 



One of the major setbacks of cancer is hair loss. 



“Hair represents beauty…it is also very much a part of your identity and the image you want to project to the world. So when you don’t have it, you are left naked,” she says. 



This is why she is adamant South African companies should have a standardized policy in place for cancer patients and survivors. This includes options such as extra leave days for treatment, as well as a proper structured support for reintegration of survivors back into the system.



“Companies really need to wake up to the fact the two occupational diseases that are going to affect them in years to come are cancer and mental illness,” she says. 



Currently, Swanepoel is working towards providing the necessary support to other cancer patients battling the disease. 







Johannesburg-based oncologist Dr Omondi Ogude says the pressures in the workplace can affect cancer patients based on residual side-effects and they may take a couple of months to disappear. 



“There is a cognitive issue that some patients get which is called a ‘chemo brain’. They have short-term memory, where they may forget people’s names and it takes some time for some people to recover and unfortunately it is not some well-described or written-about side effect but patients complain about it a lot especially after the first couple of months of treatment,” says Ogude.



Ogude adds that cancer patients may struggle to be productive in their jobs after treatment so he suggests extensive communication between oncologists and corporate companies for a better understanding of the disease. 



“The best aspect is interacting with the doctors and the patients from the get-go to understand what the nature of the problem is and how long they are going to be on treatment. And also understand the potential side-effects that are expected,” he says. 



He also suggests companies have realistic timeframes and goals regarding when the patient would be at work and how they should be reintegrated just as they would with an employee who has been in a car accident.



“I think one of the problems is that cancer patients don’t look as ill as people perceive them to be. They look normal and a lot of them might still have their hair after chemotherapy and because they look normal, people might have a very short memory about what they have gone through. But even though they look well on the outside, they might not feel well inside and emotionally and physically as well,” says Ogude. 



He also says some patients may experience problems with their nerves, which could make it difficult for them to type. 



“So it is about being conscious at work and understanding that they have gone through all of these things; so allow them to work partly at home,” he offers. 



One in four South Africans is affected by cancer, according to Lathasha Subban, the Director of Tri-Core Specialist Advisory. The survival rate is only six out of 10. 



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“This disease is impacting our workforces and our families. The disease does not discriminate, and the awareness around the cancer needs more support and advocates. There is much work to do,” she says.</blockquote>



Subban, whose company deals with human resource management, business strategy, coaching and policy development within the workplace, says that in her experience, people with cancer stood the risk of being boarded off, needed more sick leave than the norm, and are worried as to whether or not their medical aid would be sufficient to cover their expenses. 



“We realized that cancer was becoming more common in the workplace, and human resource managers and directors needed to understand that this disease was growing more rapidly, and it needed significant attention and planning,” says Subban.



She says that according to the Breast Cancer Control Policy by the Department of Health, South Africa (June 2017), breast cancer and cervical cancer are the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in South African women, together accounting for 38.5% of all cancers diagnosed in women. 



“We also found that people didn’t know how to handle the stress of someone related to them being diagnosed with cancer. And when they themselves have cancer, then the stress is heightened over the worry of costs and surviving the disease,” says Subban. 



Subban emphasizes that as much as wellness programs are in place, cancer patients are left out as cancer is very different from other diseases such as HIV/AIDS.



“People diagnosed with cancer have no control over their illness, so employers need to be able to apply their empathy and create knowledge programs and awareness around the sensitivity and seriousness of cancer,” says Subban.



“Cancer is not like flu where you just go on antibiotics or you go and get a flu jab. Cancer does not only impact the physical body, it is a mental, psychological, personal and sensitive breakdown of a person,” she says. 



This is why empathy is needed by both parties.



“To create the best solutions, always put yourself in the employee’s position and the employer’s position. You need to support the affected employee, whilst managing the fairness to other employees in the workplace. Companies need to find that middle ground in this aspect. Nothing stops you from creating those policies for employees who have cancer. The workplace needs that innovation and companies should lead in this respect.” says Subban.



Addi Lang had a booming business supplying talent to advertising agencies until she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy and mastectomy, she stopped going for tests when her last results were unclear. 



Now, she is on a mission to spread awareness and about treatment options available through the Forever Changed Global Awareness Campaign, which she has co-founded which her partner David Salomon. The campaign serves as a roadmap for newly-diagnosed cancer patients. 



They are working with the SA Board for People Practices (SABPP) and global organizations to change the legislation around people battling with cancer in the workplace. 



“In South Africa, there is no formal policy for cancer patients in the workplace. Whereas, in the United Kingdom, cancer is a disability in the workplace, it is recognized and acknowledged. But in South Africa, it has not been on any one’s agenda, until we reached Parliament, after our recent press conference,” says Lang. 



Lang and Salomon have developed a corporate program accredited by SABPP called ‘Live Life Deliberately’ and is a wellness solution within the Forever Changed Global Awareness Campaign. 
The program involves intervention with managers and line managers who need to understand what the cancer journey is (from diagnosis to treatment and then reintegration) and the impact on companies. 



The purpose is to prevent employees from collapsing after diagnosis, and offer step-by-step solutions for the company in developing policy for chronic illness and cancer-specific programs. 



“If no one in your company has been touched directly by cancer, it is not going to be an important item for human resource to address; it is like an elephant in the room until somebody in your staff has cancer, and then it is too late. We are saying companies need to be proactive instead of reactive,” she says. 



She added that there are financial implications as well for the company. 



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Because now the company has got to start getting other staff members to cover [work not done by the cancer patient] for them,” says Lang. </blockquote>



Annually, more than 100,000 people are diagnosed with cancer. The Lancet Medical Journal indicates that South Africans can expect to see a 78% increase in cancer cases by 2030.



According to the World Health Assembly Cancer Resolution event held in Switzerland in 2017, cancer is estimated to cost world economies as much as $1.16 trillion annually. They project the figure will grow exponentially if action is not taken now to reduce the spiralling growth in the number of cases and the impact on both individuals and healthcare budgets. 



“The greatest financial and human impact of cancer is felt within low- and middle-income countries, where only 5% of global resources for cancer prevention and control are spent,” read the outcome of the assembly. 



Claudelle Naidoo, Head of Insights &amp; New Business Director, MediaCom South Africa, says it is the responsibility of organizations to be active in dealing with cancer in the workplace. 



“Every organization should put their people first and in doing so, having a process to deal with serious illnesses in the workplace should naturally be in place. This will empower any organization to deal with the situation and be able to assist the employee in the best way possible without compromising the business,” says Naidoo.



Cancer awareness in the workplace has increased and it now has the attention of parliament. How soon effective policies will be formulated is the question, before time runs out for most patients. 



One thing is for sure, warriors such as Lang and Swanepoel will keep up the fight for their seat at the table.



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What needs to be done? • Acknowledge the concern • Get the stats in your workplace • Start educating and sensitizing • Look at your policies • Look at the stress levels and causes • Accept the responsibility that cancer is real and common • Look at affordability – pay and medical aid • Quality of life • Value and support • Be aware

FRANCE-HEALTH-CANCER

Cancer in the workplace

South African lingerie entrepreneur Penny Parolis was 61 when she was dealt one of life’s greatest ironies.
In the lingerie industry for over 20 years, she sold bras and innerwear, and when handed the diagnosis – while on holiday in Greece – that she had breast cancer, the first thought that crossed her mind was: “Why me? I couldn’t believe that this was happening to me, especially since the bra industry was close to my heart.”
She underwent surgery and thereafter radiotherapy back home in South Africa, whilst also handling the adverse challenges at work.
With her son Dimitri, Parolis had started her business in 1993 initially selling Italian pantyhose. Slowly, the business grew as they diversified to lingerie, swimwear and shapewear.
Parolis is the co-owner of PDL Distributors – importers and distributors of lingerie and swimwear brands – and also owns three Cape Town boutiques operating under their brand, Inner Secrets Lingerie, the retail arm of the business she is now looking to expand. She tells us more:
What inspired your business?
I knew it was important for a woman to wear beautiful garments that fit well and are well-made. Our ethos has always been about uplifting women.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-30970 alignleft" src="http://www.forbesafrica.com/app/uploads/2017/05/0041-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/0041-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/0041-300x450.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/0041-600x900.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/0041-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/0041-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/0041.jpg 682w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" />
How was your cancer diagnosis a turning point for you?
On a personal level, I got to realize how important health is and not to ever take it for granted; to find a good balance in life and to always take care of myself. It also reaffirmed how important family and close friendships are, and at a time like this, I was reminded how very blessed I was. From a business point of view, I got to view my industry from the point of view of a woman who had suffered breast cancer and whilst in her recovery process still wanted to feel feminine and most importantly be comfortable.
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How did you build your business?
Luckily when I started my business, my children were all out of school and pursuing their own paths in life. My husband was very adamant about me being a stay-at-home mom and I am very fortunate I had this opportunity and then could start my business; what’s more with one of my children. In the beginning, I spent a lot of time on the road, long hours in the office and numerous overseas trips to meet suppliers. I have a very supportive husband and a great support structure at home and at certain stages one just needs to put in the time.
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How did you balance health, work and family?
This can always be tricky to get completely spot-on and I think it is very personal for each woman at different stages of her life. You get to figure it out as you go along and you learn to prioritize what is important at any given time. Working in a family business surrounds me with my family daily, which I enjoy and now my biggest focus is juggling work and me-time. I am getting better at this.
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Your advice to other women who might have a similar story…?
Never lose faith. Keep believing in yourself no matter what the circumstances present and always be kind to yourself. You are the only person who can set the example of how you want to be treated.

Tag: Breast Cancer

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CANCER’S CURE: The Doctor Who is Spearheading Change in Cancer Care in the UAE

Cancer in the workplace

From Selling Bras To Beating Breast Cancer