Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. Early detection through screening is important in preventing deaths, but Muslim women are among the fewest to get tested.

To remove stigma of breast cancer among Muslims, Naz Vander has been raising funds to help spread awareness in the BAME community in Halliwell, Bolton, Asian Image reported.

Her efforts started after her mum Farida Patel was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2018. Thanks to early diagnosis, she had a successful operation two months later.

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“It was quite a traumatic time. She looked after all eight grandchildren and helped with the school runs,” she said.

“We wouldn’t have found the breast cancer if my mum didn’t have her mammogram because it’s so small.

“There are so many people that don’t go for routine scans in the ethnic community.”

Working with the charity Breast Cancer Now, Naz has helped develop a leaflet around breast cancer in several languages, including Persian, Arabic, Hindi, Gujrati, Urdu, Polish, and more.

She has previously helped raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, and Breast Cancer ‘Wear it Pink’.

Last October, Naz helped raise more than £2,000 for Breast Cancer Now’s ‘Wear it Pink’ event.

Next Sunday, a fundraising event will take place on August 14 at MA Mission Mosque and Community Centre on Halliwell Road in Bolton from 12pm to 6pm. There is also a JustGiving page that has raised £1,200 till the time of writing.

“It’s your health at the end of the day and it’s so important to just go for your appointment.

“I really want to help break the stigma in the Halliwell area, where there are people from all different Asian communities, where they speak different languages such as, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, and more.

“We want as many people as possible from ethnic minorities to attend.”