Zubair Qureshi
In order to raise awareness on Breast Cancer Awareness Programme, Shifa International Hospital and Shifa Foundation jointly organized the First Ladies Golf Match at Margalla Green Golf Club Islamabad.
First Lady Mrs Samina Arif Alvi was the chief guest of the event.
Mrs Samina Alvi who is known for her particular interest in the breast cancer awareness campaign and is leading the countrywide campaign lauded the efforts of Shifa International Hospital and Shifa Foundation for arranging the Ladies Golf Match as part of the breast cancer awareness program.
She distributed the prizes among the winners and souvenir shields to the chief organizers of the golf match.
Mrs. Alvi urged all the women to be cautious about any initial abnormality and complication and to women above 40 years of age to have mammography once a year to detect any abnormality at an early stage.
More than 65 players including ladies and children participated in the golf match. Matches were played in five different categories.
The golfers were dressed in pink to create awareness about breast cancer, which is one of the leading causes of death in women.
Free Mammography Coupons were offered to the participants of the golf match to highlight the importance of screening for detection of breast cancer at an early phase.
Dr. Manzoor H. Qazi, Chief Executive Officer, Shifa International Hospital and Chairman, Shifa Foundation said that breast cancer is the most common cancer in Pakistan as one in nine women are at risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime.
He said Shifa Foundation and Shifa Int. Hospital have been supporting underprivileged women communities by providing breast cancer screening, diagnostic, and treatment facilities.
Mr. Taimoor Shah, Chief Operating Officer, Shifa Int. Hospital said that the aim to organize this ladies’ golf match was to empower women in the fight against cancer and encourage all women to get screened for breast cancer.
Such activities are helpful to spread breast cancer awareness messages by word of mouth with the involvement of influencers and different stakeholders.
Dr. Zeeshan Bin Ishtiaque, Medical Director at Shifa Int. Hospital highlighted the importance of breast cancer awareness in order to educate the masses because taboos associated with regular screening and breast examination lead to delayed diagnosis so women might ignore the initial abnormality, which can otherwise be cured.
