Pakistani President Dr. Arif Alvi said that a woman loses her life every 15 minutes to breast cancer, hence, a comprehensive policy-based approach is needed to tackle the health emergency.
He said that an extensive health education plan needs to be launched to raise breast cancer awareness. A community-based approach will help women avail the different screening facilities, including sessions on self-examination along with the clinical examination and free screening mammography under one roof.
He expressed his views while speaking at an event relating Breast Cancer by secretary National Health Services at Aiwan-e-Sadr. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health, Dr. Zafar Mirza, and representatives from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Shifa International Hospital, Pink Ribbon, Green Star, World Health Organisation, and UNICEF also marked their presence on the occasion.
Pakistan has the highest rate of Breast Cancer in Asia.
President was also informed on the mapping of the mammography facilities in the country to utilize them for breast cancer screening across Pakistan. It will help in early detection of breast cancer and will also significantly reduce morbidity and mortality.
Pakistan has the highest rate of Breast Cancer in the continent of Asia. One in every 9 women suffers from Breast cancer. More than 90,000 new cases are diagnosed every single year. It is the leading cause of death among young women and is the most frequent cancer in women overall.
As breast cancer and self-examination still remain a taboo in Pakistan here are how you can recognize some early symptoms for yourself:
What are your views on this? Share with us in the comments bar below.