Zubair Qureshi
President Dr Arif Alvi during a panel interview with Pakistan Observer noted that First Lady, Dr Samina Alvi is successfully leading a breast cancer awareness campaign in the country. The purpose is to promote awareness among women about this fatal but curable disease.
“I am happy the campaign started from the President House has now reached every nook and corner of the country,” the president said.
The month of October is devoted to raising awareness on breast cancer.
“We have seen certain state buildings turning pink to mark the campaign,” he noted. Seminars and discussions are being held to raise awareness on breast cancer. “Additional resources are being allocated for treatment and research on this disease,” the president said.
First Lady emphasized that women should be encouraged to come forward for early screening.
The womenfolk should not feel shy or hesitate in sharing as it was a curable disease, she said. “Through early detection we can save many precious lives,” she added.
Alvi further informed efforts were on to set up call centers to facilitate women often shy of discussing the health related issue with family members and friends.
First Lady Dr Samina Alvi has been attending and addressing various seminars and conferences to raise awareness among women about breast cancer.
In a recent event held at the Serena Hotel to raise breast cancer awareness while addressing as Chief Guest she observed that 50 per cent of the country’s population comprised women, therefore, it was imperative to guide them on this disease that is common among women.
She also urged the welfare and the non-governmental organizations to join hands in the breast cancer awareness campaign by providing incentives and facilities especially to the under-privileged women of the country. She also appreciated the media’s role in raising awareness about the fatal diseases.
We have requested the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to facilitate in sending awareness messages to masses, she further said.
Samina Alvi is of the view that in Pakistan, the prevalence of breast cancer was very alarming as the country was among the top in the region where women were affected with this disease.
“The emphasis is, women should not feel shy or get afraid to discuss the disease with their families and friends,” she said later while taking part in a panel discussion.
She observed that treatment of the disease was also expensive and efforts should be made to provide free of cost treatment to the poor women.
