‘40,000 women lose life to breast cancer every year’
A bicycle rally was organised at Governor House on Sunday in connection with the breast cancer awareness campaign. The rally was led by Begum Perveen Sarwar, wife of the Punjab governor.
First lady Samina Alvi and Perveen Sarwar appreciated the participants for their role in creating awareness about breast cancer. Women from different walks of life were present on the occasion.
Talking to the media at the conclusion of the rally, the first lady said breast cancer is a dangerous disease but can be curbed with a few precautionary measures.
“A large number of women lose their lives to breast cancer every year. In Pakistan, breast cancer affects 90,000 women, whereas 40,000 women succumb to the disease annually,” she said.
She said everyone should participate in creating awareness about breast cancer.
Perveen Sarwar said it was commendable that doctors, members of the civil society and various organisations, including NGOs, were playing a constructive role in raising awareness about breast cancer. She said the media had also played an exemplary role in the awareness campaign.
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She said the breast cancer awareness campaign should be continued throughout the year as the disease affects one out of nine women.
Perveen Sarwar said that awareness was crucial because timely detection enhanced the survival rate of patients.
“We have campaigned in various educational institutions to teach young girls about precautionary measures, including five-minute self-examination that can be crucial in the timely diagnosis of breast cancer,” she said.
She further said that such awareness campaigns helped remove the stigma attached to breast cancer, adding that there should be no shame in seeking medical help if someone had the symptoms of the cancer.
She also appreciated the role of lady health workers in the awareness campaign.
She said the Sarwar Foundation had been working for women’s health by organising free mother-child and cancer awareness campaigns across Punjab, particularly in rural areas. “Women should take out at least five minutes a day for themselves so that with timely diagnosis and treatment, we can curb the prevalence of breast cancer in Pakistan,” she added.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2021.