Pakistan has highest breast cancer rate in Asia, experts say

Participants stress need for raising awareness about fighting the disease.

FAISALABAD: Pakistan has the highest breast cancer rate in Asia and as many as 40,000 women die from the disease in the country every year.

This was stated by experts on Tuesday at an awareness seminar held at the Institute of Rural Home Economics in collaboration with Pink Ribbon Pakistan.

Speaking at the seminar, Institute of Rural Home Economics Director Dr Naheed Abbas said that the breast cancer situation had become alarming. “Awareness among people is necessary to fight this disease,” she said.



She said that early screening was vital for curing the disease. “Education and awareness can play a vital role in reducing the spread of the disease,” she said.

She suggested making awareness about the disease a part of curriculum.

“Women’s hesitance to discuss the disease is one of causes for the increasing number of breast cancer patients dying in our country,” she said.

Dr Humaira Arshad, the Punjab Medical College assistant professor, said women should be educated about self-examination and the need to see a doctor if they felt any lump.

“If the cancer is detected at early stages, chances of survival increase manifold so people should be given awareness for early detection of the cancer,” she said.

Lecturer Binish Asad said that the cancer was also being reported in young women in Pakistan. “The cancer has become a leading cause of cancer deaths among women,” she said.

Lecturer Hina Iftikhar said that more walks and seminars were needed to raise awareness among women about the disease.

Later, a walk was also arranged. Dozens of girl students and faculty members participated in the walk that started from Iqbal Auditorium.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2014.