Skip to main content

Breast reconstruction surgery on the rise in Gaza

Pink October is painful for breast cancer survivors in the Gaza Strip with marginalized and poor women unable to get breast reconstruction due to social unawareness or poor economic conditions.
A Palestinian girl stands on a beach near a pink ribbon as part of the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Oct. 10, 2012.

Dr. Salah al-Zaanin, a consultant laser and plastic surgeon, is preparing to conduct a breast reconstruction surgery in two weeks in his clinic in the Gaza Strip. The patient is a 37-year-old Palestinian woman who had a mastectomy due to cancer about four years ago.

Although breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among females in Palestine — accounting for 31.1% of the total number of cancer cases among women — breast reconstructive surgery is limited in a society where female patients undergo much suffering. 

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.