‘Pink October’: Early diagnosis key to fighting breast cancer, says expert

Symptoms include a lump in the breasts, abnormal appearance of the skin and nipple discharge

ISLAMABAD: Oncologists, gynaecologists and cancer survivors gathered at an awareness seminar arranged exclusively for women to share their knowledge and experience of breast cancer.

The seminar was held at the inaugural ceremony for ‘breast cancer awareness month’, organised by the Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI).

Dr Mohammad Faheem, head of oncology at NORI, said mortality rates among cancer patients from developing countries had almost doubled in recent years.

“Pakistan has the highest number of breast cancer patients in Asia,” he said, adding that a lack of awareness and ignoring symptoms were the leading causes.

Dr Faheem added that there is no cancer registry in the country, but according to data recorded by NORI, one in every three patients is diagnosed positive for cancer.

NORI Director Dr Javed Irfan said the hospital will dedicate ‘Pink October’ to creating awareness of breast cancer, as a regular feature at the facility.

Dr Humera Mahmood, consultant oncologist at the institute, said women over 40 make up nearly 80 per cent of the patients, but the youngest treated at the hospital was only 19 years old.

“According to NORI data, more than 800 patients were diagnosed last year; but as awareness is increasing, nearly 60 per cent sought early treatment,” Dr Mahmood said.

Cancer survivor Shahnaz Rashid said she woke up on night with burning pain in one of her breasts, but ignored it as the pain subsided a few hours later. She said she later found a brochure and learnt that she had four symptoms of breast cancer. “Women should not shy away from getting themselves checked, even by a male doctor,” Rashid said.

According to health experts, early signs of the disease include a lump in the breasts, abnormal appearance of the skin and nipple discharge.

Experts stressed on the need for self assessment and simpler dietary routines for women.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2015.