exclusive
NOVEMBER, 2018 | THE HEALTH
31
PRINCESS DINA MIRED
receiving treatment, but his cancer
relapsed after 18 months of chemotherapy.
The family then headed to Boston where
the toddler received a bone marrow
transplant donated by his older sister;
Shirin who was four year old then at the
Dana-Farber Boston Children’s Cancer
and Blood Disorders Centre.
“We were fortunate to have been living
in England at that time because Rakan
wouldn’t have been able to get the treat-
ment he needed in Jordan,” she confides
as the treatment options in her homeland
was scarce.
“At that time, cancer was so taboo.
The Al-Amal Centre (meaning hope in
Arabic) was the first centre for cancer
care and it was just opening. Even the
word ‘cancer’ was intentionally omitted
from the centre’s name. But we were
fortunate to give Rakan the treatment
that he needed. But what about other
cancer patients? Those who didn’t have
the financial means to get the treatment
they needed?” she asked.
Focus on caregivers
and family members
As a caregiver herself, Dina affirmed that
caregivers need support from family and
friends, as the treatment for cancer is
long, time consuming with lots of ups and
downs riddled with tension.
“The same goes for family members.
At the end of his treatment, we were in
the United States and were coached on
the huge effect cancer has on siblings. It’s
very important for the whole family and
the school to be told about how to recog-
nise the suffering that siblings go through.
There is now lots of research and great
advice on how to talk to children and sib-
lings about cancer. Speaking to children
is an art in itself, but in such an important
situation as a cancer diagnosis, I’d urge
parents to seek advice so that they know
how, when and what is age-appropriate
to discuss.”
Princess Dina Mired with a child with cancer at the King
Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF).
Giving children hope is HRH
Princess Dina Mired with two
young cancer patients in Oman.
Health
Dina explained that the first thing any
cancer sufferer would point out to is
that one starts to appreciate the little
things; the ordinary acts of simple
living.
“I would say that this is the one
bright aspect of a cancer diagnosis,
one really understands that one should
never take one’s health for granted
and to count one’s blessings. Now, as a
family, we try to have better nutrition,
exercise more and smoking is certainly
forbidden in our house.”
Dina then emphasised that every-
thing needs to be in moderation.
“Certainly exercise but it doesn’t
have to be extreme but regular, and we
need to move more. Choosing healthy
food, alcohol in moderation, certainly
no smoking and try not to be too
stressed as much as possible.”
HIGHLIGHTS:
IRON MEN:
ISSUE: (HEART):
Epididymitis:
Pain at the back
of the testicle p22
Pericarditis: An
inflammation of the
membrane covering
the heart p12
Public health
experts converge
at congress for
cancer care p14 – 15
07 | MONTH OF NOVEMBER, 2018
RM5.00 | PP19292/03/2018 (034850
www.revonmedia.com
PULSE OF THE NATION
ISSUE (CANCER):
Early indicators
of breast cancer
The most common presentation
for breast cancer is a lump.
Nevertheless, they can present
with other symptoms
p09
EXCLUSIVE:
An encounter
with HRH Princess
Dina Mired
First Arab to be elected president of UICC, the princess
speaks of her journey as a mother to a cancer survivor and
her role as a global advocate for cancer control
FITNESS:
Working out
as a couple
Sarah Ariffin speaks of what got
her motivated and how she works
out with her husband
p28
FULL STORY ON PAGE 30-31
“It is really how
Malaysia will
want to take
ownership and
utilise the wealth
of knowledge of
the UICC to benefi t
themselves.
Because we are
there — we help
the people who
really want to help
themselves.”
Malaysia
“Obesity as we all know as well as
processed sugar is really bad and is
really food for cancer. So, this is our
responsibility as individuals.”
Reiterating that it is not just the
burden on the individual to keep
healthy, she expounded that the gov-
ernments need to provide a healthy
environment for their citizens.
“If healthy food is not as costly
compared to unhealthy food, when its
citizens don’t have that much money,
with no places to work, no places to
run, no school programmes to teach the
kids, especially now with technology of
course - making our kids sit down and
be stationed all the time, how can we
make that a lifestyle choice?” she poses.
“Governments have to make tobacco-
free public spaces, stop advertising for
tobacco, stopping the tap for all the risk
factors that bring in the patients. Yes,
we call it lifestyle choices, but it is not
really lifestyle choices alone. The big
burden is on the government to provide
and implement that.”
Dina pointed out that UICC has a very strong
membership base of not only credible and
talented institutions, but also most impor-
tantly, members who are utterly dedicated to
fight for cancer control equity in the world.
When asked regarding her position
as the president and Malaysia, she was
quick to rationalize that it is not really her
plans.
“It is really how Malaysia will want to take
ownership and utilise the wealth of knowl-
edge of the UICC to benefit themselves.
Because we are there – we help the people
who really want to help themselves.”
“The political will has to be there. We
have to reach out. At the UICC; we have so
many tools, there are many programmes that
you can join. But off-course, you are doing
great in so many things. Nobody is perfect,
somethings you could do more.”
“Really, the secret is that now that
you know UICC, you should apply for
the City Cancer Challenge initiative and
when you do that, it is going to be an
opportunity not to be missed, this is when
Malaysia will benefit. The country has to
take ownership – otherwise we can’t do it.