Save lives with early diagnosis of breast cancer

Had I gone for screening, testing sooner, years of pain could have been avoided: survivor

KARACHI:

A staggering 40,000 women out of the 90,000 diagnosed with breast cancer every year do not survive due to late detection.

This is an unfortunate number for a disease that can be treated and defeated if diagnosed early but shame and stigma associated with breast cancer often prevents women from getting tested, resulting in a late diagnosis.

Around 150 women from different walks of life were given vouchers for free of charge mammograms on Wednesday at a breast cancer awareness session organised by the Dawood Global Foundation in collaboration with Chughtai Healthcare.

Women were invited to learn about disease from doctors and hear stories of survivors at the LADIESFUND Mammogram #LFMammogram. Each attendee received a free mammogram certificate enabling them to get tested for breast cancer.

Speaking to participants and encouraging them to spread awareness on breast cancer, LadiesFund President, Tara Uzra Dawood said, "Today is for each of you, we commend you for coming out to learn about protecting your health, early detection, and to invest in yourself.

Today, you will receive a voucher for a free mammogram which could save your life. But please encourage at least five other female friends to get tested so their lives may be saved as well.

Pay it forward."

Huma Ali, a breast cancer survivor shared her personal story and urged the audience to listen to the warnings of their bodies, as she had ignored her shoulder ache for too long.

Ali who ignored pain in her hand for nine months, which led to two difficult and painful years before she defeated the cancer, said if she had read the signs right and went to a doctor early and had her mammogram done she would have saved herself from severe pain.

"Early detection can save patients from a lot of suffering and this is why her story was important to be shared," said Dawood. The programme urged women to share details with others as well so that more and more women could be cognisant of the disease.

"We are delighted to collaborate with the LadiesFund to spread breast cancer awareness," said Ismail Saleem, the assistant marketing manager at Chughtai Labs.

She added that they wanted to give out mammogram vouchers to encourage women to get protected. Renowned make-up artist Masarrat Misbah, the chief guest at the event, encouraged women to take time out for their health.

"Whether it is five minutes or 15 minutes, please avail this opportunity, everything is not about makeup, it is not about getting your hair done but everything is about your good health.

" Sharing details about the event and how women need to be encouraged to get a mammogram done annually after the age of 40,

Dawood shared that the LadiesFund has provided a voucher worth Rs6,500 to each of the participants and they could get their mammogram done from any Chughtai Lab on any day suitable for them.

This is because we wanted women to get themselves tested, she said, adding that early detection can save hundreds of lives.

Women from State Bank of Pakistan, Bank Islami, Pakistan State Oil, the K-Electric, Dawood Family Takaful Ltd, Ernst & Young, and a host of corporates, as well as women entrepreneurs from across the city participated in the event. Chughtai Medical Centre Radiology Head Dr Rahila Usman and Dr Sehba Arij Khan also spoke of the medical realities of the disease.