Who is Asma Assad, Syria's first lady diagnosed with blood cancer?
Syria's first lady Asma Assad
The office of President Bashar Assad announced on Tuesday (May 21) that Asma Assad, the first lady of Syria, has been diagnosed with leukemia.
The president’s wife was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia “after presenting with several symptoms and following a comprehensive series of medical tests and examinations,” the statement said.
She will “adhere to a specialised treatment protocol that includes stringent infection prevention measures” and “will temporarily withdraw from all direct engagements” as part of the treatment plan, it added.
Asma Assad, originally from central Syria but raised in the United Kingdom, had treatment for breast cancer before. In August 2019, she said she was completely free of the disease a year after being diagnosed. She is a controversial figure, facing sanctions from Western countries and sparking strong reactions during the Syrian conflict. Also read | Understanding why cancer rates are rising among younger generations Before marrying President Bashar Assad in 2000, she worked as an investment banker. Since the marriage, she has been active in public roles, supporting civil and charitable organisations. However, critics accuse her of using her British education and Western lifestyle to deflect attention from her husband's harsh suppression of dissent. The conflict, which started in March 2011 with peaceful protests against Assad's government, has led to nearly half a million deaths and displaced half of Syria's pre-war population of 23 million. The protests were met with severe repression, escalating swiftly into a devastating civil war. Also read | New research finds link between talcum powder use and ovarian cancer
Symptoms to watch out for
Early signs of leukemia can vary depending on the type of leukemia and individual factors, but common early symptoms may include:- Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or weak, even with adequate rest.
- Frequent infections: Recurrent infections or infections that are difficult to recover from.
- Bruising or bleeding: Unexplained bruising, frequent nosebleeds, or bleeding gums.
- Pale skin: A paler complexion than usual, possibly due to anemia.
- Joint or bone pain: Pain or tenderness in the bones or joints.
- Swollen lymph nodes: Enlarged lymph nodes, often in the neck, armpits, or groin.
- Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight without trying or without a clear cause.
- Fever: Persistent or frequent fevers that are not caused by infections.
- Night sweats: Excessive sweating, particularly at night.