Breast Cancer

 

EVERY 8^th WOMEN IN PAKISTAN AT RISK OF BREAST CANCER

                     
                  Samina Alvi, wife of president Dr. Arif Alvi, on Wednesday said that every 8^th women in Pakistan was at risk of suffering from Breast cancer and stressed the need for an urgent plan of action to reduce growing numbers of patients. Addressing participants of an awareness walk on breast cancer held at National Institute of Health (NIH) she said establishing a national cancer registry was the need of the hour to formulate effective policies in connection with the disease.

                Early diagnosis is the best cure against Breast Cancer instead of expensive and painful treatment at later stages of the disease, she said, adding in Pakistan with one lac new cancer patients every year, breast cancer was most prevalent as compare to its other forms. She emphasis on raising mass awareness in society to shun taboos affiliated with breast cancer. Baigum Alvi said that a healthy women could positively contribute to society and advise women to practice self diagnosis which could save the precious lives. She said that October, 2021 was marked across the country as Breast Cancer awareness month, the message need to be spread persistently throughout the year.

                She urged parliamentarians to play a strong role towards highlighting the issues  in their constituencies and sensitize people. Ms. Alvi said that she would visit all provinces in the current month to raise awareness among girls and women at school at colleges about the disease. Dr. Faisal Sultan, special assistant to the Prime Minister on health said that government was making efforts to strengthen primary care centers to treat cancers of different kinds including breast cancer in the country. Parliamentary Secretary on health Dr. Nosheen Hamid said lack of awareness is the main reason behind the alarming 98% death rate in patients with Breast Cancer in the country. Later Begum Alvi led the awareness walk with NIH Executive Director and other concerned.

                First lady Samina Arif Alvi leads the breast cancer awareness walk at National Institute of health. Medicine oncology and Radiotherapy institute(NORI). The institute a top notch public sector Cancer hospital which was established in the Federal Capital by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission in 1983. Director of NORI Dr. Muhammad Faheem welcomed participants of the awareness activity and shared details about the newly added facilities at the hospital which includes the addition of a linear accelerator. Dr. Faheem thanked the PAEC Chairman for his unwavering support to the noble cause of upgrading the NORI in particular and other Cancer hospitals being run under the AEGIS of PAEC in general. He also thanked the president of Patient welfare society of NORI for his valuable assistance addressing to the seminar as chief guest and stressed that early diagnosis was the key to cure Breast Cancer. Dr. Naeem told participants that the 19^th Cancer hospitals of PAEC in Gilgit has been completed and will soon be opened for patients. Mr. Naeem later inaugurated the newly added linear accelerator facility at NORI. On this occasion, Cancer survivors including the former Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary and member of patients core group NORI shared their experiences of fighting the disease with the help of NORI team.

                She highlighted the importance of emotional supports of families of patients and appreciated the dedication, patience and professional attitudes of doctors from NORI especially Dr. Faheem, Dr. Humaira Mehmood and Dr. Kashif. Head of the Oncology Department Dr. Humaira Mehmood announced names of teams who won the Breast cancer awareness poster competition whereas the PAEC chairman and member science Dr. Masood Iqbal distributed prizes among winners and shield among worthy guests.

                It has been noted with great concerned that every year in the world a considerable deaths caused by Breast cancer. The situation in advance countries is different as compared to developing countries where there is lack of awareness, costly treatment and many other factors which the women of such countries are facing. It can be said that better health facilities are available in the advanced countries including well awareness about the diseases and especially towards Breast Cancer.

                If women is suffering from Breast Cancer she has to suffer mentally and physically along with expensive treatment. So it is better for every woman to keep close eye on her body changes, especially on breast area with any abnormality which can cause breast cancer. It has been observed that during many studies that if a women has sufficient awareness about Breast Cancer or any abnormalities arising at her Chest area, basic treatment can be provided to her which can save her from this chronic disease. Globally, a day is celebrated every year with the awareness against major diseases like heart, blood pressure, diabetes, kidney failures, Breast Cancer etc. Awareness against any disease is most important thing which can save a lot of money, your precious and can save you from physical agony.