ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi expressed serious concerns over high prevalence of breast cancer in Pakistan, adding the media and the society could help overcome the disease by promoting self-diagnosis and removing the allied taboos.
The president was addressing the launching ceremony of awareness campaign on breast cancer in Islamabad on Monday.
He said being a developing country, Pakistan could not afford the treatment of diseases, so it was inevitable to put in all required efforts on prevention.
The President said that early diagnosis of breast cancer and proper treatment could help increase the chances of survival among women, adding that chances of cure at early stages were as high as 98%.
He asked mainstream as well as social media to specify sometime for public messaging on breast cancer in their talk shows, dramas and other programs, besides highlighting the role of breast cancer survivors to guide the people on prevention.
First Lady Begum Samina Arif Alvi, in her address, highlighted that her four-year sustained and continuous efforts were yielding results and women in the far-flung areas of the country were also becoming aware of the deadliness of breast cancer and the number of early-stage breast cancer cases had almost doubled in different hospitals of the country.
Surgeon General of Pakistan, Lt Gen Nigar Johar, while addressing the ceremony highlighted that 50% population of the country was at risk of breast cancer. She informed that diagnostic and therapeutic facilities in the country had improved, however, she called upon women to develop the habit of examining their breasts and its surrounding areas once a month for early detection.
On the occasion, prominent oncologist Dr Abida Khali Sattar said Pakistan had the highest prevalence of breast cancer in South Asia with every one of eight women getting affected by the disease. APP
