Ethel Vento Zahra, a dental surgeon and Partner at Xarolla Dental Clinic, has passed away after a battle with breast cancer.

First diagnosed in 2015 when she was only 36, by 2018 it was identified as metastatic breast cancer.

Dr Vento Zahra also played a role in education as a Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Department of Oral Rehabilitiation at the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the University of Malta

She was presented with an Award in Recognition for a High Level of Service in the Public Service in June of 2011.

Women for Women Founder Francesca Fenech Conti took to the popular Facebook Group to hail Dr Vento Zahra’s support for the community.

Ms Fenech Conti described her as “a very special person who was always ready to help so many of our members, and I'm sure many others too, both with her work as a dentist but also in any way she could”.

“She was a very brave, caring and beautiful person both inside and out. A truly extraordinary woman, and a true woman for women, who will never be forgotten.”

During her battle with cancer, Dr Vento Zahra was active in Europa Dona Malta, an NGO that advocates for breast cancer patient rights, raises awareness about breast cancer and provides support to women and their families when they are diagnosed with anything related to breast cancer.

As a patient herself, she was very committed to raising more awareness about the realities of women living with this condition and provided support to women going through the same issues to be able to have a more positive outlook while going through such difficult situations.