Breaking the taboo around health issues
Slough: Sbba using own battle to raise awareness of ovarian cancer
A Slough resident is using her own battle with ovarian cancer to raise awareness and break the taboo surrounding health issues in British south Asian communities.
Sbba Siddique, co-founder of Asian Star Radio, is focusing particularly on ovarian cancer awareness and is on a mission to make sure that nobody else faces the challenges she did in seeking proper healthcare.
The 54-year-old is using this month, which is Ovarian Cancer Month, to shine a light on this specific type of cancer.
In autumn 2021, Sbba started having unexplained health issues such as lethargy, bloating and, despite her persistence, initial consultations with her general practitioner (GP) were limited to phone calls and e-consultations.
In March 2022, she was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer, stage 3c low grade serous ovarian cancer, which led to a host of treatments, surgeries and emotional challenges.
Her journey involved multiple hospital visits, a range of treatments and a battle with the side effects of chemotherapy.
But despite facing setbacks, including unsuccessful surgery, she eventually underwent a successful surgery in February 2023, leading to her becoming 100 per cent tumour free.
Since then, Sbba has become an advocate in raising awareness of ovarian cancer and tackling the taboo surrounding cancer in south Asian communities and addressing health inequalities.
Sbba said: “I want to be more than just a storyteller, says Sbba. I am a voice for those who feel they don’t have one due to cultural taboos.
“By sharing my story, I aim to break down barriers, normalise the cancer conversation and ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to culturally appropriate support.”
Sbba is aiming to raise awareness of symptoms and early diagnosis and change the narrative surrounding cancer.
She also looks to boost visibility for south Asian voices and faces in cancer literature and advocate for early diagnosis and health equity.
Sbba has collaborated with organisations including Macmillan, Target Ovarian Cancer, Black Women Rising, The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Ovacome and Ovarian Cancer Action.
She has also delivered a keynote speech at the Houses of Parliament, taken part in discussions on improving outcomes in female cancers, and been a panel member at the Macmillan Primary Care Conference.
Most recently, Sbba has also been appointed as a delegate at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), with the 68th session of the annual gathering underway in New York at the moment.
Sbba has recently created a series of podcasts in collaboration with Macmillan to have open and frank conversations about cancer.
The podcasts can be found on the Macmillan website at: www.macmillan.org.uk/asian-starradio