100-Hour Volunteer Training Programs
During its latest board meeting, the foundation celebrated:
• Samim Mofidi: Taught 16 individuals the art of decorative wood (patine). Trainees earned over 40 million Tomans (≈£700) by selling their creations at the June 2024 Food Festival.
• Seyed Mohammad Miramad: Led handmade leathercraft classes, enabling students to produce bags, wallets, and keychains. His workshops restored participants’ self-confidence through vocational rehabilitation

Impact on Beneficiaries
• Trainees received certificates and public recognition for completing their courses.
• Foundation board members purchased all handmade products displayed at the ceremony and donated them back to support ongoing programs.
• Ms. Mofidi also gifted a handcrafted wooden artwork to the foundation in her late father’s memory.

Raah-e- Aseman’s Broader Mission

This initiative reflects the foundation’s holistic mission:
• Building a 30,000m² Comprehensive Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment Center in Semnan (radiotherapy phase nearing completion).
• Providing free cancer treatment, prevention, and psychosocial support.
• Offering vocational rehabilitation to improve the quality of life for cancer patients.
• Supported by cultural figures like philosopher Gholamreza Avani and actor Ali Nasirian.
How You Can Support
• Donate: Help fund cancer equipment and vocational programs at raaheaseman.com.
• Volunteer: Share your skills—crafts, healthcare, or education—with patients.
• Corporate partnerships: Sponsor materials or trainee toolkits.
💙 Your support helps cancer patients turn creativity into confidence and hope.

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What Patients and Families Learned
During the session, participants:
• Gained scientific and practical information about chemotherapy and treatment methods
• Joined a dedicated Q&A session with the expert instructor
• Discussed personalized coping strategies for managing treatment side effects
Looking Ahead
The foundation plans to hold these educational sessions on a regular basis to:
• Reduce patient stress and anxiety
• Improve quality of life during cancer treatment
• Strengthen patient and family confidence in the treatment process
By providing accurate information and support, Raah Aseman Foundation continues its mission to empower cancer patients and their families with knowledge and hope.

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Strength in the Face of Fear
I cried. Then I smiled. I chose strength—for my family, for my children.
Within days, I was in Tehran, meeting with an oncologist and a surgeon. The tumor had to be removed immediately. My children were preparing for exams, and I hesitated. But my doctor reminded me:
“You must do this for them. Waiting could cost you your life.”

The Battle Begins
The tumor was removed. My surgeon carefully preserved the breast to help with emotional healing. Sixteen lymph nodes were removed—eleven were cancerous.
Treatment began in June:
• 8 rounds of chemotherapy
• 17 immunotherapy sessions
• Followed by 30 radiotherapy sessions
Chemo took its toll. My hair fell. My nails loosened. Painful sores made eating and speaking difficult. Yet through every moment, my family stood by me. My sister messaged me:
“Think of it as a video game—one level at a time.”
That mindset saved me.

Collapse and Rise
After the fourth chemo round, I crashed. An infection hospitalized me. I told my husband:
“I don’t think I can finish this.”
But my nurse reminded me:
“Your body has fought. Now it’s your spirit’s turn.”
So I rose. And I finished every round.

Rediscovering Myself
I spent 45 days away from home during radiotherapy. That time alone helped me reflect, cry, and heal.
When treatment ended in July 2024, I wasn’t the same. I was stronger, wiser, braver.
I enrolled in university and aced my first semester. I also began studying psychology—to help others on this path. I now cry when I need to. I paint. I smile again.

Afsaneh’s Message to You
• Know your body. Don’t ignore even the smallest signs.
• Act quickly. Early diagnosis can save your life.
• Ask for help—you are not alone.
• Let your feelings flow. Cry, rest, and rise again.
Your goal may be simple—survival, joy, or kindness.
Even your presence can be someone’s hope.
And that is more than enough.

🎗 This story was shared by one of the brave survivors supported by Raah-e- Aseman Charitable Foundation.
Together, we rise—with courage, compassion, and care.

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Source:
National Cancer Institute. (2025). During Brain Cancer Surgery, a Rapid Test Can Identify Mutations in Tumor Cells. Cancer Currents Blog.
🔗 Read the full article
.

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Source:
Abubakar, M., et al. (2025, May 14). Unraveling the role of stromal disruption in aggressive breast cancer etiology and outcomes. Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
🔗 Read NCI Press Release
🔗 Additional Coverage at Bioengineer.org

The post New Breakthrough in Breast Cancer Detection: “Stromal Disruption” Emerges as Powerful Biomarker for Aggressive Disease appeared first on raah-e-aseman charity.

Source:
National Cancer Institute. (2025). Studying a ‘Black Box’: The Environmental Factors Behind the Rise in Early-Onset Cancers. Cancer Currents Blog.
🔗 Read full article

The post Cracking the Cancer Code: Scientists Investigate Environmental Causes Behind the Surge in Early-Onset Cancers appeared first on raah-e-aseman charity.

Source:
Zhu, Q., Sun, K., Yao, Y., Li, X., Dai, M., Wei, W., Bray, F., & Zheng, R. (2025, July 23). Global Disparities in Healthcare Resources and Cancer Burden: A Population-based Systematic Analysis of 171 Countries in 2022. International Journal of Surgery. Published online ahead of print.
🔗 DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000002960

The post Global Inequality in Cancer Care: New Study Reveals How Access to Healthcare Shapes Survival Rates appeared first on raah-e-aseman charity.

A recent health report has sounded the alarm on a troubling new trend: gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are rising sharply among adults under 50, challenging outdated assumptions that these diseases primarily affect older populations.
Published on July 21, 2025, by U.S. News & World Report, the study highlights increasing rates of early-onset colorectal, pancreatic, stomach, and other GI cancers. Medical experts warn that this surge in diagnoses among younger adults reflects deeper systemic issues and lifestyle-related risk factors.
According to leading researchers, the rise may be fueled by modern habits such as poor diet, obesity, physical inactivity, and a growing dependence on ultra-processed foods. These factors are known to disrupt the gut microbiome and cause chronic inflammation—two conditions that can create a higher risk environment for cancer development.
What makes this trend especially dangerous is the high risk of delayed diagnosis. Because GI cancers are still widely perceived as “diseases of the elderly,” young patients often dismiss early symptoms—like persistent abdominal pain, irregular bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, or rectal bleeding—as minor digestive issues. This delay can lead to diagnosis at later stages, when treatment is more complicated and outcomes are worse.
At the Raah-e-Aseman Charitable Foundation, we view this data as a critical wake-up call. The message is clear: cancer does not discriminate by age. As part of our mission to advance cancer prevention and education, we urge young adults to take early symptoms seriously and advocate for themselves within the healthcare system.
Our foundation is committed to raising awareness about early-onset cancers, promoting proactive screening, and encouraging a deeper public understanding of lifestyle-related risk factors. With earlier intervention and widespread education, we can begin to reverse this alarming trend and help save lives.

Key Takeaways:
• Early-onset GI cancers are rising rapidly among adults under 50.
• Lifestyle factors like obesity, poor diet, and inactivity may be contributing causes.
• Misdiagnosis and late detection remain serious risks for younger patients.
• Greater awareness and proactive health decisions are essential for early detection.
Source:
HealthDay. (2025, July 21). GI Cancers on the Rise Among Younger Adults. U.S. News & World Report.
🔗 Read the full article

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Cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable cancers, yet many women—especially those from underserved communities—face barriers such as lack of access, low health literacy, and mistrust in the healthcare system. These obstacles contribute to stark disparities in cancer prevention and early detection.

To address this urgent public health challenge, researchers developed and validated a chatbot-based decision aid using a user-centered design approach. The tool was co-created with input from both healthcare professionals and women from vulnerable populations, ensuring it was easy to use, informative, and trustworthy.

The chatbot educates users about cervical cancer, outlines the benefits of regular screening, and introduces the option of HPV self-sampling, a convenient and less invasive test that can be done at home.

Results from the study were highly promising. Even women with limited digital literacy found the chatbot intuitive and empowering. The majority reported an increase in both knowledge and confidence, with many expressing a clear intention to schedule a screening appointment after interacting with the tool.

The Raah-e-Aseman Charitable Foundation supports this innovative approach as a transformative step toward reducing health inequalities. By using accessible technology like AI chatbots, healthcare providers can bridge information gaps, increase screening rates, and ultimately save lives.

This research underscores a powerful truth: when technology is thoughtfully designed with the end-user in mind, it can break down long-standing barriers and advance health equity in cancer prevention.

Source:
Le Bonniec, A., Sauvaget, C., Lucas, E., Nassiri, A., & Selmouni, F. (2025). Design and Validation of a Chatbot-Based Cervical Cancer Screening Decision Aid for Women Experiencing Socioeconomic Disadvantage: User-Centered Approach Study. JMIR Cancer. Published online July 24, 2025. Link to study

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However, if you want to be there for them, the key is compassionate communication and flexibility. Below are some ways to offer meaningful support.

How to Talk with Someone Who Has Cancer 

Listen More, Fix Less

– The most valuable gift you can offer is a listening ear. Avoid minimizing their feelings or offering unsolicited advice. Instead, let them express themselves without judgment.

– Phrases like *”I’m here whenever you want to talk” or “It’s okay if you don’t feel like talking now”* create a safe space for them.

Validate Their Emotions

– Cancer can trigger anger, fear, sadness, or withdrawal—all normal reactions to a life-altering diagnosis. Avoid saying “Stay positive!” if they’re struggling. Instead, try:

– “This must be so hard. I’m here for you.”

– “It’s okay to feel however you’re feeling.”

Avoid Blame or Stigma

– Some people unfairly blame themselves (or are blamed by others) for their cancer. Reassure them:

– “Cancer isn’t your fault. No one chooses this.”

– “What matters now is how we can support you.”

Respect Their Privacy 

– Never share their diagnosis without permission. If others ask, say:

– “I’ll let them know you’re thinking of them.”

What to Say (and What to Avoid)

Helpful Responses:

– “I care about you and I’m here for you.”

– “How are you *really* doing today?”

– “Would you like company, or do you need space right now?”

Avoid:

– “I know exactly how you feel.” (Even if you’ve had cancer, everyone’s experience is different.)

– “My aunt had cancer and she…” (Comparisons can feel dismissive.)

– Comments on appearance (“You look tired”) unless it’s a sincere compliment (“You look great today!”).

Humor Can Help (When Appropriate) 

– If they joke about their situation, follow their lead. Laughter can relieve stress, but let them set the tone.

 Coping with Your Own Feelings 

It’s normal to feel:

– Guilt (“Why them and not me?”)

– Fear (“Could this happen to me?”)

– Helplessness (“I don’t know what to do.”)

If these emotions overwhelm you, consider:

– Talking to a therapist or joining a support group.

– Using workplace resources (e.g., Employee Assistance Programs).

– Practicing self-care so you can be present for your loved one.

 Practical Ways to Help 

• Offer specific support: Instead of “Let me know if you need anything,” try:

– “Can I drive you to appointments?”

– “I’d love to drop off meals—what days work best?”

• Respect their treatment choices: If they refuse or stop treatment, avoid judgment. Instead:

– “I respect your decision. How can I support you?”

– Suggest discussing options with their care team (e.g., palliative care for symptom relief).

• During recurrence or advanced cancer:

– Acknowledge their fears: “This must be so tough. I’m with you.”

– Help them access hospice or comfort care if needed.

 Final Thoughts 

Supporting someone with cancer isn’t about having the perfect words—it’s about showing up with empathy. Even small gestures (a text, a shared memory, sitting quietly together) can mean the world.

References

American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2023. Atlanta. American Cancer Society; 2023 Accessed https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2023/2023-cancer-facts-and-figures.pdfon September 14, 2023

Costa-Requena G, Ballester Arnal R, Gil F. The influence of coping response and health-related quality of life on perceived social support during cancer treatment. Palliat Support  Care. 2014;28:1-7.

Johnson LA, Schreier AM, Swanson M, Moye JP, Ridner S. Stigma and Quality of Life in Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2019 ;46(3): 318-328.

Kroenke CH, Kubzansky LD, Schernhammer ES, Holmes MD, Kawachi I. Social networks, social support, and survival after breast cancer diagnosis. J Clin Oncol. 2006;24(7):1105-1111.https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5372

Naser AY, Hameed AN, Mustafa N, Alwafi H, Dahmash EZ, Alyami HS, et al. Depression and anxiety in patients with cancer: a cross-sectional study. Front Psychol. 2021;12:1067. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.585534

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