Bushra Ishaq

• Taylan, Fulya; Janhonen, Joel; Ekholm, Katja; Bajalica-Lagercrantz, Svetlana; Becker, Stefan & Benneche, Andreas [Show all 41 contributors for this article] (2025). The Nordic ChiCaP Network: An interdisciplinary approach to childhood cancer predisposition. Rare . ISSN 2950-0087. 3. doi: 10.1016/j.rare.2025.100111. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Testing for Childhood Cancer Predisposition (ChiCaP) syndromes is increasingly common in pediatric oncology as early identification can help adapt treatment and initiate surveillance. As such, ChiCaP testing can have medical, ethical, and psychological consequences for both the patients and their families, and present significant diagnostic challenges for pediatric oncologists. In response to these new opportunities and challenges, the Nordic ChiCaP Network was established in 2021, bringing together experts from pediatric and adult oncology, clinical genetics, molecular genetics, bioinformatics, epidemiology, psychology, anthropology, community medicine, law and ethics. Its primary goal is to advance our knowledge of ChiCaP in pediatric oncology research and care through an interdisciplinary approach. The network aims to achieve several key objectives: (1) to improve ChiCaP diagnostics, including gene-associated phenotypes and variant interpretation; (2) to advance understanding of the natural history, cancer risks, adverse treatment reactions, and comorbidities associated with ChiCaP syndromes; (3) to optimize and harmonize treatment protocols and surveillance strategies for affected patients and their families; (4) to address the ethical, legal and psychosocial aspects involved in testing, communication and counseling, diagnosing ChiCaP syndromes, and the impacts of surveillance on patients and their families; (5) to identify novel ChiCaP syndromes and explore their underlying mechanisms; and (6) to facilitate translation of research findings into clinical practice. By gathering interdisciplinary expertise and fostering collaboration across the Nordic countries, the Nordic ChiCaP Network will enhance knowledge and awareness of ChiCaP, improve early diagnosis, patient care, family support, and contribute to a better understanding of these complex genetic conditions.

• Ishaq, Bushra; Bjertness, Espen; Østby, Lars; Johannessen, Asbjørn & Schnell, Tatjana (2024). Is the degree of religiosity related to community belonging and trust in society? A cross-sectional study among Muslims in Norway. Social Sciences & Humanities Open (SSHO). 10. doi: 10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.101065. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction: It is unclear if the degree of religiosity within Muslim minority groups causes health inequality because of poor community belonging and lack of trust in society. We aimed to investigate the association of the degree of Muslim religiosity with community belonging and trust in society, including general trust and trust in political authorities, political power, media and monarchy. Methods: This study had a cross-sectional design, including a random sample of 1129 men and women aged 18–85 years, originating from Muslim countries and currently living in Norway. Data were retrieved from the Norwegian Central Population Register. Results: In logistic regression analyses, adjusted for confounders, the degree of Muslim religiosity was not associated with general trust (crude odds ratio [OR] = 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91–1.10; p = 0.90) or trust in political authorities (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.87–1.06; p = 0.40) and monarchy (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.84–1.00; p = 0.08). However, the degree of Muslim religiosity showed a negative association with trust in political power (OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.83–1.00; p = 0.04) and media (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.73–0.87; p < 0.01), whereas there was a positive association with community belonging (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01–1.21; p = 0.03). Conclusion: A higher degree of Muslim religiosity, compared with lower, was not a barrier to trust in society or community belonging among Muslims in Norway. Hence, these findings support the use of culturally sensitive health interventions involving Muslim religiosity in reaching out to Muslim communities. Considering the negative association of the degree of Muslim religiosity with trust in political power and media, the involvement of politicians and political symbols or the use of traditional media in public health communication with this minority group should be pursued with caution.

• Ishaq, Bushra; Perez, Esperanza Diaz & Østby, Lars (2024). Discrimination and health: A cross-sectional study comparing Muslims with other-religious. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. ISSN 1403-4948. p. 1–8. doi: 10.1177/14034948231225561. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Aims: The aim of this study is to report perceived discrimination among Muslims living in Norway and to address and compare associations between perceived discrimination and health among Muslims with an immigrant background and other-religious with an immigrant background. Method: A representative sample of individuals with an immigrant background in Norway was used in a cross-sectional study design that included 5484 respondents aged 16 to 74 years. The respondents were sub-grouped after religious affiliation, and as immigrants and Norwegian-born. This sample is from ‘The Survey on living conditions among persons with an immigrant background 2016’, conducted by Statistics Norway. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between perceived discrimination and self-rated health and between perceived discrimination and mental health problems. Results: Our findings show that Muslims with an immigrant background are more likely to report perceived discrimination than non-Muslims with an immigrant background. Perceived discrimination was associated with poor self-rated health and mental health problems among immigrant Muslims and Norwegian-born Muslims. Among other-religious with an immigrant background, perceived discrimination had an inverse relationship with mental health problems among immigrants, while an association between perceived discrimination and poor self-rated health was found among Norwegian-born. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that perceived discrimination does play a role in health among minorities with an immigrant background in Norway, regardless of religion. However, the association between perceived discrimination and poor health seems to be stronger among Muslims, especially Norwegian-born Muslims.

• Ishaq, Bushra (2021). Islamsk tro og helse. In Botten, Grete Synøve (Eds.), Mangfold og engasjement i ti år. Institutt for helse og samfunn ved Universitetet i Oslo 2010-2020.. Norwegian Medical Society. ISSN 9788292871768. p. 141–147. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Mennesker med bakgrunn fra muslimske land ser ut til å være preget av ulikhet i helse sammenlignet med den norske befolkningen og andre innvandrere. Det gjelder både subjektive indikatorer som selvrapportert dårlig helse, men også objektive helseindikatorer som abortrate. Islamsk tro har blitt påpekt som én årsak til dårlig helse blant muslimer, samtidig som det er lite helseforskning i Norge som retter oppmerksomheten mot muslimer som en spesifikk gruppe. Dette prosjektet er todelt: I første del undersøkes sammenheng mellom islamsk tro og selvrapporterte helseindikatorer og sosiale helsedeterminanter, i andre del sammenhengen mellom muslimsk bakgrunn og fødselsrate og abort.

• Ishaq, Bushra; Østby, Lars & Johannessen, Asbjørn (2021). Muslim religiosity and health outcomes: A cross-sectional study among muslims in Norway. SSM - Population Health. ISSN 2352-8273. 15. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100843. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The aim of this study is to address the association between Muslim religiosity and health outcomes, and investigate if religious Muslims are more likely to be of disadvantage of health than non-religious Muslims. A cross-sectional study-design is used with a representative sample of Muslims in Norway including 2661 respondents in age 16 years–74 years from the “The Survey On Living Conditions Among Persons With An Immigrant Background 2016”, conducted by Statistics Norway. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between Muslim religiosity and health outcomes. The health outcomes in focus are self-reported health, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neck and back illnesses, mental health problems, sleeping disorders, consumption of alcohol, and smoking. Association between Muslim religiosity and positive health outcomes were found. Smoking and alcohol consumption were negatively associated with Muslim religiosity. The findings suggest no evidence that religious Muslims are more likely than non-religious Muslims to be of disadvantage of health, and the study do not support the premise that Islam as a barrier to health. In addition, our findings suggest that Muslim religiosity might serve as a resource either predicting better health outcomes or that Muslim religiosity may be a factor that exists if good health is evident. As our findings cannot define any cause-effect relation between Muslim religiosity and health outcomes, given the cross-sectional design of the study, we emphasize the need of further research that investigates how Muslim religiosity is associated to health.

• Ishaq, Bushra (2020). Lidelse og mening i islamske tradisjoner - fra et klinisk perspektiv. In Austad, Anne; Borge, Lisbet; Leenderts, Torborg Aalen; Stifoss-Hanssen, Hans & Thomassen, Magdalene (Ed.), Lidelse mening og livssyn : teori og praksis. Fagbokforlaget. ISSN 9788245024098. p. 123–135. Full text in Research Archive
• Czibik, Gabor Tamas; Gravning, JA; Martinov, VN; Ishaq, Bushra; Attramadal, Håvard & Valen, Guro (2011). Remote delivery of DNA encoding for hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha is protective against in vivo myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Life Sciences. ISSN 0024-3205. 16, p. 71–78. Full text in Research Archive
• Czibik, Gabor Tamas; Gravning, Jørgen A.; Martinov, Vladimir Nikolkaev; Ishaq, Bushra; Knudsen, Eirunn & Attramadal, Håvard [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2011). Gene therapy with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha in skeletal muscle is cardioprotective in vivo. Life Sciences. ISSN 0024-3205. 88(11-12), p. 543–550. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2011.01.006. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Aims: Gene therapy of a peripheral organ to protect the heart is clinically attractive. The transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) transactivates cardioprotective genes. We investigated if remote delivery of DNA encoding for HIF-1 alpha is protective against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in vivo. Main methods: DNA encoding for human HIF-1 alpha was delivered to quadriceps muscles of mice. One week later myocardial infarction was induced and four weeks later its size was measured. Echocardiography and in vivo pressure-volume analysis was performed. Coronary vascularization was evaluated through plastic casting. HL-1 cells, transfected with either HIF-1 alpha or HMOX-1 or administered bilirubin or the carbon monoxide (CO) donor CORM-2, were subjected to lipopolysacharide (LPS)-induced cell death to compare the efficacy of treatments. Key findings: After four weeks of reperfusion post infarction, animals pretreated with HIF-1 alpha showed reduced infarct size and left ventricular remodeling (p<0.05, respectively). Fractional shortening was preserved in mice pretreated with HIF-1 alpha (p<0.05). Invasive hemodynamic parameters indicated preserved left ventricular function after HIF-1 alpha (p<0.05), which also induced coronary vascularization (p<0.05). HIF-1 alpha downstream target heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX-1) was upregulated in skeletal muscle, while serum bilirubin was increased. Transfection of HL-1 cells with HIF-1 alpha or HMOX-1 and administration of bilirubin or CORM-2 comparably salvaged cells from lipopolysacharide (LPS)-induced cell death (all p<0.05). Significance: HIF-1 alpha gene delivery to skeletal muscle preceding myocardial ischemia reduced infarct size and postischemic remodeling accompanied by an improved cardiac function and vascularization. Similar to HIF-1 alpha, HMOX-1, bilirubin and CO were protective against LPS-induced injury. This observation may have clinical potential. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

• Czibik, Gabor Tamas; Sagave, Julia Fritzi; Martinov, Vladimir Nikolkaev; Ishaq, Bushra; Sohl, M & Sefland, Iren [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2009). Cardioprotection by hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha transfection in skeletal muscle is dependent on haem oxygenase activity in mice. Cardiovascular Research (CVR). ISSN 0008-6363. 82(1), p. 107–114. doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvp035. Full text in Research Archive

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• Ishaq, Bushra & Gylver, Sunniva (2018). Tro på tvers. Vårt land forlag. ISBN 9788293368410. 299 p. Full text in Research Archive
• Ishaq, Bushra (2017). Hvem snakker for oss? : Muslimer i dagens Norge - hvem er de og hva mener de? Cappelen Damm AS. ISBN 9788202559083. 274 p. Full text in Research Archive

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• Cairns, Patrick; Knapstad, Ida Katrine; Ishaq, Bushra; Bache-Mathiesen, Lena Kristin; Wangensteen, Urd Teresia & Pedersen, Reidar [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2026). Norway Update – Nordic ChiCaP symposium. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Conference talk at symposium for members of the Nordic Childhood Cancer Predisposition collaboration group – 13th-14th April 2026.

• Cairns, Patrick; Ishaq, Bushra; Knapstad, Ida Katrine; Pedersen, Reidar; Hofmann, Bjørn Morten & Wangensteen, Urd Teresia [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2026). Hopes and Concerns of Adolescent Patients and their Caregivers Related to Genetic Predisposition Testing in Childhood Cancer Care: A Three-Year Longitudinal Follow-Up. Full text in Research Archive
• Cairns, Patrick; Ishaq, Bushra & Lie, Hanne Cathrine (2026). Psychosocial Group – Literature resource. Full text in Research Archive
• Ishaq, Bushra; Cairns, Patrick; Knapstad, Ida Katrine; Bache-Mathiesen, Lena Kristin; Bentzen, Heidi Beate & Pedersen, Reidar [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2025). The PROTECT-CARE study: Psychosocial, communication, ethical and legal aspects of childhood cancer predisposition testing in clinical care. Full text in Research Archive
• Cairns, Patrick; Ishaq, Bushra; Knapstad, Ida Katrine; Hofmann, Bjørn Morten; Bentzen, Heidi Beate & Wangensteen, Urd Teresia [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2025). Exploring psycho-social-ethico-legal issues related to genetic predisposition testing in pediatric cancer – the PROTECT-CARE study. Full text in Research Archive
• Ishaq, Bushra; Aukrust, Pål; Diaz, Esperanza; Solbakk, Jan-Helge; Østby, Lars & Bjertness, Espen [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2021). Vi trenger grundige analyser av den høye minoritetssmitten. p. 26–27. Full text in Research Archive
• Ishaq, Bushra; Aukrust, Pål; Diaz, Esperanza; Solbakk, Jan-Helge; Østby, Lars & Tyssvang, Marius [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Smitte blant innvandrere: Vi forholder oss i aller høyeste grad til eksisterende forskning. p. 33–33. Full text in Research Archive
• Iraki, Rima & Ishaq, Bushra (2021). Høy koronasmitte i innvandrermiljøene. [TV]. NRK Dagsrevyen. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Innslag, kl. 19:16-19:18

• Ishaq, Bushra (2021). Ulikhet i helse, og Coronapandemien. Full text in Research Archive
• Ishaq, Bushra; Radøy, Sverre Tom; Sollien, Therese & Rieber-Mohn, Libe (2021). Smitte blant innvandrere. [TV]. Dagsnytt 18. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Kl. 18:51-19:00

• Edvardsen, Ingvild & Ishaq, Bushra (2021). Bør vurdere å prioritere enkelte innvandrergrupper. [TV]. NRK Søndagsrevyen. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Kl. 19:06-19:07

• Brandvold, Åse & Ishaq, Bushra (2021). Vil slippe fram folk i Oslo øst. [Journal]. Klassekampen. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  S. 6-7

• Ishaq, Bushra (2021). Overrepresentasjon av covid-19 i noen innvandrergrupper – klarer vi å se hele bildet? Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Korte innlegg fra inviterte innledere, etterfulgt av dialog/panel. Bushra Ishaq (assisterende bydelsoverlege, forsker og skribent) ; Esperanza Diaz (lege og professor, leder av Pandemisenteret v/Universitetet i Bergen) ; Sandra Oliveira e Costa og Hjördis Rut Sigurjonsdottir (forskere, Nordregio - Sverige) ; Thor Indseth (avdelingsdirektør, område for helsetjenester, Folkehelseinstituttet). Møteledere: Avdelingsdirektør Øyvind Giæver og fagrådsleder Hege Linnestad

• Ishaq, Bushra; Aukrust, Pål; Diaz, Esperanza; Solbakk, Jan Helge; Bjertness, Espen & Tyssvang, Marius [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Hvorfor er koronasmitten så høy blant minoriteter? Vi trenger grundige analyser. Full text in Research Archive
• Dalgaard-Nielsen, Anja; Ravndal, Jacob Aasland; Renå, Helge; Ilum, Jakob; Hansen, Morten Løw & Eriksen, Jørn Rye [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2020). Evaluering av politiets og PSTs håndtering av terror­hendelsen i Bærum 10. august 2019. doi: https:/www.politiet.no/globalassets/tall-og-fakta/al-noor---terrorhandlingen/evaluering-av-politiets-og-psts-handtering-av-terrorhendelsen-i-barum-10.-august-2019.pdf. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Lørdag 10. august 2019, klokken 15.30, holder imamen på Al-Noor moskeen den daglige Dhuhrbønnen. Ti personer deltar, inkludert imamen. Etter bønnen forlater de fleste moskeen, men tre personer blir igjen. Tidligere samme dag har Philip Manshaus skutt og drept sin stesøster i deres felles hjem i Bærum. Kort tid etter setter han seg i stemorens bil og setter kurs mot Al-Noor moskeen. Med seg har han to rifler, en hagle, et GoPro-kamera og en skuddsikker vest. Han er, ifølge eget utsagn, inspirert av den høyreekstreme terroristen som angrep to moskeer i Christchurch, New Zealand, i mars 2019 – et angrep som kostet 51 mennesker livet. Manshaus mener det haster og at han må unytte et “momentum” skapt av flere andre forsøk på massedrap av muslimer, jøder og innvandrere som fulgte i kjølvannet av New Zealandangrepene. Målet er derfor å drepe så mange muslimer som mulig.

• Ishaq, Bushra (2019). Hvor skal jeg flykte? Vårt land. ISSN 0805-5424. p. 2–3. Full text in Research Archive
• Hellstrand, Ingvil Førland & Ishaq, Bushra (2018). Den internasjonale kvinnedagen 8. mars: samtale med Bushra Ishaq. Full text in Research Archive
• Bangstad, Sindre; Vetlesen, Arne Johan; Eriksen, Thomas Hylland & Ishaq, Bushra (2011). 'Straffbare ytringer som ikke straffes'. Aftenposten (morgenutg. : trykt utg.). ISSN 0804-3116. Full text in Research Archive
• Bangstad, Sindre; Vetlesen, Arne Johan; Eriksen, Thomas Hylland & Ishaq, Bushra (2011). Uakseptable ytringer. Full text in Research Archive
• Ishaq, Bushra (2024). Determinants of health among Muslims in Norway : Muslim religiosity and perceived discrimination among Muslims in Norway - impacts on health and health behaviour. MF vitenskapelig høyskole. Full text in Research Archive
• Ishaq, Bushra; Tyssvang, Marius & Høiland, Tor Erik (2021). Kartlegging av uvaksinerte innbyggere i Bydel Alna i aldersgruppen 65-74 år: Notat. Oslo kommune, bydel Alna. Full text in Research Archive
• Ludvigsen, Sten; Gundersen, Eli; Indregard, Sigve; Ishaq, Bushra; Kleven, Kjersti & Korpås, Tormod [Show all 18 contributors for this article] (2015). Fremtidens skole : fornyelse av fag og kompetanser : utredning fra et utvalg oppnevnt ved kongelig resolusjon 21. juni 2013. Avgitt til Kunnskapsdepartementet 15. juni 2015. Departementenes sikkerhets- og serviceorganisasjon. ISSN 9788258312397. Full text in Research Archive

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