Dozens of free health services are available at the Breast Diseases Treatment Center in Sulaimaniya for women and girls who want to have breast examinations. According to center officials, the total cost is few dollars while in private clinics and hospitals it costs up to USD150.
In general, women and girls who have breastfeeding problems, a family history of cancer, or changes in the shape and size of their breasts visit the center. A total of 120 women and girls visit the center daily.
The Breast Disease Treatment Center is a government facility that was first opened in 2007. Since then, it has been providing free services to women and girls, aiming to facilitate and diagnose diseases affecting them.
"The center was built with the assistance of the Kurdistan Women's Union (Yaketi Zhinan which works to defend women's rights). Initially, it was just a small room which received only one visitor daily.
Usually, those women visit this center if they are sick, but some come for preliminary examinations. Besides Sulaimaniya, visitors come from all over the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi provinces," said Ali Zuhdi Kakarash, Executive Director of the Breast Diseases Treatment Center.
Some women and girls are referred to the center from health centers, while others visit directly with prior information about the center, according to Zuhdi.
After the number of visitors increased to more than 100 per day, the center was relocated to Shar Hospital, the largest public hospital in Sulaimaniya. However, the center remains an independent department and is not affiliated with Shar Hospital.
Three doctors see patients daily in the morning, and one doctor in the evening. Over 100 mammography and ultrasound examinations are performed daily.
"It is a symbolic amount of only 3,500 dinars (USD2.3) for all tests, including ultrasound, mammography, sampling, and others. If the same tests were done outside, it could cost more than 200,000 dinars (USD130). Women and girls should not be ashamed to have necessary tests here to ensure their health. Early diagnosis makes treatment easier for the patient and the government," Zuhdi added.
In 2024, 10,842 women and girls visited the center, with 3,550 mammography and 1,711 ultrasound examinations performed.
In addition to medical services, the center has a psychological counseling department for women initially diagnosed with cancer, aiming to support their mental well-being.
In 2024, 38 cases of cancer were reported.
Dr. Sawsan Faizullah, breast specialist at the Center for Treatment of Breast Diseases.
Sawsan Faizullah, a breast specialist at the center, explains who should visit the breast specialist and the center for their health safety.
"Every woman over 30, those who have reached the age of 30 and have no children, and those who have experienced changes in the shape and size of their breasts should visit."
Those experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding, changes in nipple appearance, discharge, or skin changes should also seek medical attention.
"Treatments vary depending on the patient, including surgery, hormones, chemotherapy, and radiation. Treatments are tailored to the patient's condition," Dr. Faizullah stated.
