Shining a light on women’s health at 5Y

October is Women’s Health Month at 5Y. This year, our focus is on creating a culture of awareness and encouraging healthier lifestyle habits among our employees and their families.

As part of our programme, we recently hosted a breast cancer awareness session to shed light on the importance of women’s health, early detection and prevention. The event was fully remote, allowing every employee to participate, regardless of their location.

Sharing expert knowledge and lived experience

The session was co-hosted by Dr Leen Damra, a health educator, and Suzan Barbour, a breast cancer survivor who was treated at the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, Jordan.

Dr Leen shared crucial insights on prevention strategies, methods of detection and treatment options. She emphasised the importance of early detection and how routine self-checks and early screenings, like mammograms, can have a life-saving impact.

Suzan’s heartfelt story brought those lessons to life. By reflecting on her journey through diagnosis and recovery, she highlighted the role of resilience, community and emotional support. For us as attendees, it was a powerful reminder that breast cancer is not just a medical challenge but an emotional one where compassion and encouragement make all the difference.

The event was incredibly well-received by our team. Haneen Shehadeh, junior data engineer at 5Y, said:

“Yesterday’s Women’s Health Month session was both informative and inspiring. The doctor’s talk on breast cancer stressed the importance of early checkups, and Suzy’s survivor story was deeply moving. I left feeling empowered to prioritize my health and encourage others to do the same.”

Powerful and proactive takeaways

It’s fair to say the event had a significant impact on our team. We all left informed, empowered and armed with preventative measures for a healthier future.

The practical advice we learned was incredibly valuable. It included:

• The importance of early detection and routine self-checks
• Key facts about breast cancer, including risk factors and lifestyle habits that can help lower the chances of developing it
• Information on different examination methods, like self-exams, clinical exams and mammograms
• General advice for healthier living

As Salma Abdel-Jawad, technical project manager at 5Y, said:

“It was a truly inspiring and informative session. We left with greater awareness, deeper empathy and a renewed commitment to living a healthy lifestyle.”

Continuing the conversation

We’re committed to continuing the momentum beyond the session. Employees will soon receive a directory of trusted clinics and doctors by location to encourage proactive health check-ups.

On 30th October, 5Y will celebrate Wear It Pink Day as part of Women’s Health Month. Colleagues will be invited to wear pink, join a “Lunch & Learn” session, and participate in fundraising for charities supporting breast cancer treatment.

By creating safe spaces for education, dialogue and shared experiences, we aim to ensure women across the company feel supported and empowered to prioritise their health. We’d like to extend our thanks to Dr. Leen and Suzan for their time and encourage any women who want to find an empowering and supportive role in tech to get in touch with us.