Zubair Qureshi
“As per the special directive of the Honourable President of Pakistan Mr. Arif Alvi, the Government of Pakistan is closely pursuing the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign to maximize the possibilities of breast cancer’s early detection, as there are more than 80 percent chances of a complete survival if diagnosed at an early stage,” honourable first lady, Mrs. Samina Arif Alvi said.
Mrs. Samina Arif Alvi was addressing the participants of an awareness seminar on breast cancer at Shifa International Hospital (SIH) on Wednesday. She highlighted the key role of Pakistani women in the development and prosperity of the country and urged all the women to be cautious about any initial abnormality and complication and to women above 40 years of age to have a mammography once a year to make breast cancer a disease of past. She advised all the stakeholders to be a part of this national cause. She also advised the breast cancer patients for regular examination.
She emphasized that private healthcare sector should share their expertise with the Government to give Pakistani women an easy access to a breast screening. While appreciating Shifa’s collaborated initiative with the Federal Ministry of Health, she said that, seminars like breast cancer awareness should be held to educate and encourage women regarding this disease. This is also a fact that women don’t feel good talking about these types of diseases. I want to advice those women to put their shame aside as it is necessary to look after your health, Mrs. Alvi said.
Dr. Ayesha Isani Majeed, Focal Person of National Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, Ministry of NHSR & C, managing the awareness campaign all over Pakistan, enumerated the breast cancer’s risk factors as genetic, obesity, lack of physical exercise, radiation, etc. She said that, the Ministry is advocating training of the lady health workers to create awareness of self-examination among the women.
Dr. M. Furrukh, Consultant Radiation Oncologist at Shifa International Hospital said that Pakistan has the largest rate of breast cancer in Asia. It is the second leading cause of death among women. An estimated 90,000 cases are being annually reported in our country, and over 40,000 deaths are caused by it. One in every nine Pakistani women develops breast cancer at some stage of her life.
Moreover, Shifa International Hospitals in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health is also steering a Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign particularly in the various universities of twin cities to spread awareness. Campaign was carried out in Bahria University, Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), COMSATS University, and FAST University. Shifa distributed hundreds of leaflets among university students having information about breast cancer.
Shifa is also offering its patients free screening and a fifty percent discounted breast mammography. Shifa’s Chairman Board of Directors Dr. Habib-Ur-Rahman, Dr. Manzoor H. Qazi (CEO), Mr. Taimoor Shah (COO), faculty members, staff and a large number of general public attended the event.
