The **Women’s Affairs Unit** at the **College of Medicine – Al-Nahrain University** organized a session on **“Breast Examination: Between Reality and Practice.”**

Under the patronage of the Dean of the College of Medicine – Al-Nahrain University, Prof. Dr. Anis Khalil Nail, and on the occasion of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Women’s Affairs Unit organized a workshop entitled:

“Breast Examination Between Reality and Practice”

The workshop was held on Wednesday, October 14, 2025, and featured a lecture by Asst. Prof. Dr. Rawa Abdul Sattar from the Department of Surgery, who emphasized the vital responsibility of physicians to raise women’s awareness about the dangers of breast cancer and the importance of prevention through promoting health education—reinforcing the principle that prevention is better than cure. She highlighted that medical professionals, as carriers of scientific knowledge, play a key role in providing effective scientific solutions to health issues within the community. Dr. Rawa urged the participating women to undergo regular breast examinations after the age of forty, especially those with a family history of breast cancer, noting that early detection greatly increases the chances of successful treatment and control of the disease in its early stages. The workshop also included a lecture by Dr. Raghad Ahmed Mohammed from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, who discussed the significance of early screening and its role in prevention and early diagnosis. Dr. Raghad conducted an interactive survey with participants to identify the main barriers preventing women from undergoing early screening—such as social fear, lack of awareness, or anxiety about the results—and shared the participants’ opinions and personal experiences. Additionally, the event featured a theatrical dialogue among three characters representing fear, hope, and courage in facing breast examination, which added an engaging and interactive atmosphere. As part of the campaign, second-year medical students, in cooperation with the Women Empowerment Unit, presented posters and brochures to emphasize the importance of early screening and encouraged women to visit health centers equipped with screening devices. The workshop concluded with an awareness message affirming that early detection is a courageous step that reflects love for life and a sense of responsibility toward oneself and the community, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals aimed at building a healthy society.

Media and Government Communication Division
College of Medicine – Al-Nahrain University