Alexandria, Egypt

Survivor, CFTC participant, Steering Committee Member

Collectively we are just beginning to break the silence of breast cancer in Egypt, but I broke the silence for myself a long time ago”

Commitment to Breast Cancer:

Nabila has been dedicated to the early detection of breast cancer since she discovered her own lump 25 years ago. At the time of her diagnosis, she sought treatment immediately because she was fortunate to have some knowledge of the importance of early detection of breast cancer. “This saved my life.” For Nabila, telling her story 25 years ago, when mammography machines didn’t even exist in Egypt, was very challenging, “Tell my secrets? No thank you!”

Soon after her recovery, Nabila began working at the World Health Organization in Alexandria, and it was here that Nabila broke her silence around breast cancer. She wrote a pamphlet for the office about early detection of breast cancer, just five years after she completed her treatment. With encouragement from another writer and colleagues, Nabila finally expanded her story into a full length book 20 years later. The WHO published the book, My Personal Experience with Breast Cancer, in English and Arabic. Nabila became the first employee to be awarded a certificate of merit from the World Health Organization.

Nabila and other participants at a training for Support Group Facilitators

Motivation to Join the Global Initiative for Breast Cancer Awareness in Egypt:

Those who know Nabila describe her as a “pioneer,” and this has become a personal motto for her.

Through the Global Initiative, she aims to better understand how to approach people who are reluctant to talk about breast cancer and to learn how to help patients and survivors beyond what she is already doing.

Nabila’s Message to Egypt:

“Early Detection and Early Treatment.”