Cancer an emerging health challenge, says minister

Awareness seminar held to mark World Cancer Day

LAHORE: A seminar on World Cancer Day was organised by Express Media Group in collaboration with Jubilee Life Insurance Company at a local hotel on Wednesday.

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid was a special guest on this occasion. Speaking on occasion, she said cancer was an emerging health challenge in Pakistan and awareness was the key to controlling the disease. The minister said most patients were from the age group of 45 to 65 and raising awareness in this group was extremely important.

Health experts, students and volunteers, including Dr Zeba Aziz, Punjab Cancer Registry Secretary Dr Farhana Badar, King Edward Medical University Head of Medical Oncology Dr Abbas Khokhar, Jubilee Life Insurance Company Head Syed Rizwan Aziz and Express Publications Executive Director Marketing Azfar Nizami and others were present on the occasion.

Speaking about the number of cancer patients in the country, Dr Rashid highlighted that the number of Cancer patients has been rising in Pakistan. “Punjab Government is providing free diagnostic and treatment facilities to over 5,000 people currently in the public sector hospitals,” the minister said.

“Smoking and use of addictive substances like Gutka is a high risk factor. Simple life style is the key to prevention,” Dr Rashid said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2020.