‘Early breast cancer diagnosis increases survival chances’

The chances of survival increase up to 90 per cent if breast cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, said Dow University of Health and Sciences (DUHS) vice-chancellor (VC) Prof Mohammad Saeed Quraishy on Tuesday.

He was speaking on 'Pink Day', organised at Dow Medical College in connection Breast Cancer Awareness Month, being observed from October 1 to October 31.

The event was jointly organised by the DUHS, Higher Education Commission and Pink Ribbon Youth Awareness Programme to raise awareness about breast cancer.

On the occasion, Prof Quraishy stressed the need for women to self-examine their bodies. And in case they find a lump, they should consult a doctor immediately, he said.

"In the case of breast cancer, there is excessive growth of [cancer] cells, which destroy healthy tissue," he explained.

Meanwhile, DUHS pro VC Prof Zarnaz Wahid wrote on a notice board, "Self-examination and early reporting can help prevent the spread of the disease."

Similarly, DUHS registrar Dr Ashar Afaq wrote, "Fight with all your might. There is no room for fear."

DMC principal Prof Amjad Siraj Memon and others also wrote on the notice board to raise awareness about the disease.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2020.