Ramadan and cancer treatment
Zainab Al-Farabi
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Lead
In 2024 Ramadan is expected to start Sunday 10 March. It lasts for 29 or 30 days so is likely to finish around Tuesday 9 April.
- The dates of Ramadan change every year because, for religious reasons, Muslims follow a lunar calendar based on the phases of the moon
- This means the start date might vary slightly based on sightings of the crescent moon across West and South Asia
- Find out more about Ramadan and how it might impact cancer treatment here
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan takes place during the ninth month of the 12-month Islamic calendar, these 12 months add up to approximately 354 days (11 days less than the Gregorian calendar).
Ramadan dates change each year because (for religious reasons) Muslims follow a lunar calendar based on the phases of the moon. Ramadan moves backwards by approx. 11 days every year.
During Ramadan Muslims won’t eat or drink anything, including water, between sunrise and sunset. This is called ‘fasting’. Muslims will eat before sunrise to prepare for the day ahead, this is called ‘Suhoor’. For a lot of people this will mean getting up in the very early hours of the morning to eat and do their morning prayer. People will break their fast when the sun goes down, this is called ‘Iftar’.
Fasting and cancer
Some people aren’t expected to fast during Ramadan.
This can be for many reasons and includes children who haven’t gone through puberty, people who are pregnant, elderly people, people who are menstruating and those who are ill (this also includes mental health reasons).
As with all parts of your treatment, it’s really important that you speak to your care team if you have any questions about your diagnosis, treatment or any side effects you’re experiencing.
When does Ramadan end?
Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days and is expected to end on Tuesday 9 April.
Eid, or Eid al-Fitr, is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, this is expected to be Wednesday 10 April this year. The name translates as “the festival of the breaking of the fast”.
People might go to their mosque first thing on Eid and lots of people will celebrate with big meals with their families and friends.
People will make donations to charity during this time and in some countries the day is a public holiday.
You might hear the greeting ‘Eid Mubarak’ said during this time as well.
Find out more about Ramadan and Eid
You can find out more about Ramadan and Eid in the stories below.
Mayisha shared her experience of not being able to fast during Ramdan while she was being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia:
Mariam finished cancer treatment in 2021 just one month before celebrating Eid. She very kindly shared her tips on our Instagram page for anyone going through cancer treatment during this time of year:
Find out more about nutrition and cancer
Monika Siemicka is a specialist dietitian who has worked with teenagers and young adults with cancer. She has shared her expert advice on nutrition for young people with cancer and her top tips to help you eat a healthy, varied diet.
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