IAEA Anchor Centre-Rays of Hope Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital NORI Islamabad “Turning the tide”
“The percentage of early-stage breast cancer at AECH NORI has improved to 40% attributed to strong cancer awareness campaign”
DR HUMERA MAHMOOD Consultant Clinical & Radiation Oncologist Head of Department of Clinical & Radiation Oncology Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital (AECH) NORI Islamabad
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission through its 19 cancer hospitals spread all over the country is playing a remarkable role in creating cancer awareness besides providing diagnostic and treatment services to ailing brethren.
AECH NORI (Nuclear Medicine, Oncology & Radiotherapy Institute) Islamabad is the flagship hospital of the commission, situated in the heart of Islamabad since 1983 and serving a population of more than 18 million from not only the twin cities but also upper Punjab, KPK, FATA, AJK, Gilgit Baltistan as well as Afghanistan. The hospital has grown into the most modern hospital with state-of-the art diagnostic and non-surgical treatment modalities for cancer patients present under one roof.
NORI is now equipped with cutting edge technology including cyberknife, hybrid brachytherapy and PET CT, theranostics besides linear accelerators, SPECT CT cameras, CT scanner, MRI, mammography and guided biopsies
Workload of the hospital is persistently rising and has exceeded 10,000 new cancer patients and more than 65000 follow up patients in 2023. The same goes for the number of procedures in Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Pathology, Hematology and Histopathology departments. This is attributed to not only the true rise in cancer incidence, but also improvement in the level of cancer awareness, patients’ access to better diagnostic and treatment services and strong confidence of referring doctors on the services of the hospital.
NORI cancer hospital alongwith all the hospitals of PAEC is playing a vital role in creating cancer awareness and alleviating myths and misconceptions about the disease. The role of the hospital in spreading awareness about the menace of cancer using different means including brochures, posters, print and electronic media, awareness lectures and webinars for schools, colleges, universities and other forums, cancer awareness walks, involvement of cancer survivors, NORI Patients’ Support Group is commendable.
Besides remarkable patient services and infrastructure, AECH NORI has strong research, training and education program. The doctors, Medical Physicists and technologists trained at NORI are serving not only in Pakistan but abroad as well. NORI has very strong national and international academic and research collaboration in the fields of Radiation Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Hematology, Histopathology and molecular biology.
Considering the matchless services of NORI, the hospital was designated as IAEA Anchor Centre under “RAYS of Hope” initiative of IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). As IAEA anchor centre, the hospital has brought laurels to PAEC and Pakistan as it’s the leading hospital amongst the five initially declared anchor centres the world over.
One of the factors contributing to NORI’s recognition on the world map is its strong cancer awareness campaign. The hospital is “No smoking zone” since 2016 as one third of the cancers are caused by smoking.
AECH NORI hosts several cancer awareness activities throughout the year including World Cancer Day on 4th February, World No Tobacco Day on 31st May, World Head and Neck Cancer Day in July and World Gynecological Cancers Day besides various activities in the month of October.
Though cancer can affect any part of the body from head to toe, yet we talk more about breast cancer and the entire month of October is dedicated to breast cancer awareness. It’s not only because breast cancer is the commonest cancer but also because it’s one of the preventable, treatable and curable cancers and because our females are mainly affected by this menace and women as mothers, sisters, daughters and wives play central roles in their families.
It’s worth mentioning here that generally most of the cancers including breast cancer are detected in advanced stages in Pakistan as compared to the developing world. If we talk of breast cancer, more than 80% of the patients are diagnosed in the early stage in western world.
In the Oncology department NORI, we used to see upto 25% of breast cancer patients in early stage about 15 years ago. Recently this percentage has improved to more than 40%. This is of course a great achievement thanks to Pakistan Atomic Energy and NORI Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign.
The main aim of Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign is to disseminate information about the facts associated with the disease, the possible risk factors leading to breast cancer, early detection by secondary prevention(screening) and timely treatment.
Different risk factors involved are hereditary, increasing age, lack of physical activity, obesity, intake of fatty foods and less of fruits and vegetables, smoking and alcohol, diabetes, increased estrogen exposure due to lack of breast feeding, early menarche, late menopause, no or late childbirth, hormone replacement therapy and unprescribed use of hormones. Genetic mutation and age are not avoidable, but other risk factors are modifiable,
Early detection of breast cancer is possible by seeking early medical attention in case of any swelling, color change, non-healing ulcer, retraction of nipple and blood-stained discharge. Another recommended way is screening using monthly breast self-examinations after the age of 20, annual clinical breast examination and mammography (specialized breast x-rays) after the age of 40 (after the age of 35 in case of positive family history).
There are a number of myths about breast cancer that need to be alleviated.
MYTHS & FACTS ABOUT BREAST CANCER
Myth: Breast cancer is largely genetic
Fact: 10-15% of breast cancers are hereditary
Myth: Small breast women have a lower risk
Fact: The risk of breast cancer doesn’t depend on size
Myth: Breast cancer always appears as a lump
Fact: There can be other symptoms depending on the extent of the disease
Myth: Mammograms cause breast cancer
Fact: The radiation exposure with annual mammogram is less than the ultraviolet radiation received in a year. Moreover, low energy X-rays are used for mammography
Myth: Young women don’t get breast cancer
Fact: Breast cancer doesn’t follow age. It can occur in any age group though risk increases with increasing age. The commonest age affected in Pakistan is between 40 and 50 years.
Myth: Deodorants and antiperspirants cause breast cancer
Fact: Not scientifically proven
Myth: Wearing black garments increases your cancer risk
Fact: Not scientifically proven
Myth: I had a normal mammogram, so I don’t need to worry about breast cancer
Fact: Mammograms have to be repeated annually between 40-70 years in Pakistan and after 70, the frequency of mammograms will depend on individual risk factors.
Myth: Men don’t get breast cancer
Fact: Men can also be affected with breast cancer though percentage of male breast cancer is less than 1%. Presentation, risk factors, staging and treatment are the same as for female breast cancer.
