In 2020, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with Breast Cancer with 0.68 million deaths globally. As of the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million alive, who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 5 years, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer as per the stats of the WHO. Pakistan has the highest incidence of Breast Cancer in Asia. An estimate of 1 in 10 women may develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer treatment can be highly effective achieving probability of 90% or higher, if diagnosed at an early stage.
Greenstar Social Marketing (GSM) is a household name in the field of family planning, reproductive health and mother and child nutrition. Greenstar Social Marketing has been part of Breast cancer awareness campaign spearheaded by the Hon Begum Samina Alvi First lady since last four years in raising awareness in the country. Green star social marketing conducted a training session of LHWs in collaboration with District health office Islamabad, where 50 LHWs have been trained by Dr Saira Mehmood Oncologist from Maroof International Hospital on how to conduct the breast cancer screening of women.
On the occasion, Mr Ghazanfar Abbas Technical Director Greenstar Social Marketing apprised audience about the prevalence of Breast cancer in Pakistan and how LHWs may be instrumental in an effective campaign against breast cancer. Ms Aliya Fahad City Manager GSM highlighted that role of LHWs in early detection of cases would surely save precious lives of women of Pakistan and will also break the taboo associated with it.
Dr Rashida Deputy District Health officer Islamabad while speaking on the occasion stressed upon the importance of self-screening of women and how LHWs may impart the knowledge to women on breast cancer self-screening. He also acknowledged the efforts of LHWs who work tirelessly in facilitating women of Pakistan.
