KARACHI:
Pakistan ranks among the countries with a high incidence of breast cancer. Every 24 hours, 109 women die due to breast cancer in the country. According to estimates, 40,000 women die each year because of breast cancer with 90,000 new cases reported annually. These figures are alarming and require more than just an annual month-long campaign.
Most Pakistani women are unable to identify symptoms early as they feel hesitant to get examined or consult a doctor about changes in their bodies. Although there has been increased awareness about the disease and the need for regular check-ups in urban areas, most rural women remain unaware and do not have access to proper healthcare support. Provincial healthcare departments need to invest more in research as well as outreach programmes. Hospitals and polyclinics in rural and remote areas should be equipped with adequate facilities and have female attendants for women. Doctors should inform patients about the harmful impact of breast cancer and urge women to carry out regular examinations.
Over the last few years, Pakistan has adopted new techniques and treatment methods, which have improved the chances of curing the disease if it is diagnosed at the right time. We have also witnessed better tolerance, less severe side effects of treatments, and improved survival rates. Therefore, we need to de-stigmatise breast cancer and initiate long-term awareness campaigns so that women take prevention measures and receive an early diagnosis to treat the disease before it becomes life-threatening.
Dr Jauhar Abbas
Kohat
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2022.
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