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May 18, 2010

Shamim Dahod, an alumna of the Boston University School of Medicine, has survived two separate cancer diagnoses. She beat breast and thyroid cancer, thanks in part to the top-notch treatment she received, according to BU Today.

Now, she and her husband, Ashraf, are working to help others overcome the illness. The Dahods, who anonymously donated $10.5 million to the school last year, are now coming forward to acknowledge their gift. Their involvement will enable them to shape the effect that their contribution has on the school and the cause.

The two are founding the Dahod Breast Cancer Research Center in association with the medical institution.

"Our connection with BU was factor number one," Ashraf told the news source. "And number two is the patients that are served at Boston Medical Center. If you look at Boston, you find that care and treatment can be very different depending on your social status. We could have made this gift elsewhere, but no other place in this city serves the same population that BMC does."

According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 192,370 women were diagnosed with breast cancer last year, and 40,170 women died of the disease.

Early detection increases one's chances of survival. The American Cancer Society recommends that women over the age of 40 schedule an annual mammogram and stay proactive about their breast health. Those over 20 years of age should begin conducting breast self-exams.

A healthy lifestyle that includes a low-fat diet and physical exercise may reduce a woman's chances of developing breast cancer.

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