Public awareness of breast cancer stressed

With the number of breast cancer patients growing in society, the issue can only be addressed through joint efforts, especially through massive public awareness.

This was stated by speakers while addressing a seminar on breast cancer organised by the Khyber Medical University (KMU). Health experts said that the rising rate of malignant diseases such as cancer was a major challenge for society as well as medical research institutes and medical professionals.

Early diagnosis, they said, can not only save lives but also reduce the huge cost sustained. The insidious disease can be fought by creating awareness amongst the public.

Elaborating on the causes, prevention and treatment of breast cancer, breast cancer experts said that around 9.8 million women in Pakistan are currently known to be affected by breast cancer, which leads to high-risk countries.

However, the timely diagnosis of breast cancer can reduce the number of deaths per year by 90 per cent. Every year, as many as 15,000 people suffer from breast cancer in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The experts added that cancer is no longer incurable but due to the high cost of treatment often puts the cure beyond the reach of patients.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2020.