Breast Cancer Awareness

Tooba Khan

ISLAMABAD : Mrs. Samina Alvi lauded Maroof Int’l Hospital for offering screening facilities of discounted mammograms and ultrasounds from 1st October till December 31 every year, for early detection of breast cancer and called upon other hospitals to follow the same.

Speaking on the occasion, the honorable First Lady; Mrs. Samina Arif Alvi who was the chief guest of Breast Cancer Awareness Program organized by Maroof Int’l Hospital in collaboration with the National Press Club at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, urged women to regularly conduct self-examination and self-diagnosis for five minutes every month for the early detection of breast cancer. She added that a number of breast cancer cases at the early stages have almost doubled in different hospitals of the country due to awareness and an increase in reporting. Health of women is essential to achieve the dream of a healthy Pakistan, healthy and active women can play their role in the socio-economic development of the country.

The event saw senior representation of heads foreign missions, WHO, WFP, UNHCR, HUM TV, PTV, PIMS, PM Medical Staff, PIA, CAA, PPIB, PEMRA, AGICO, State Life, NTC, FG College, Health Aid Nursing College, CAA, PIA, IESCO, NPC, Diplomatic Insight,  One Health & WAPDA Hospital among many others.

Mr. Haroon Naseer the CEO of Maroof Int’l Hospital, in his closing remarks appreciated the efforts and interest of the First Lady, who is leading the breast cancer awareness campaign in the country. He also vowed her resolve to continue organizing such awareness activities for breast cancer awareness for the masses. He added that the awareness campaigns have contributed to an increase in reported cases of breast cancer patients and decreased death ratio. He expressed satisfaction on continued support of the breast cancer awareness program through screening facilities at Maroof Int’l hospital.

Addressing the seminar Dr. Mir Waheed, Medical Director MIH said that worldwide, female breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer. An estimated 2,261,419 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in women across the world in 2020. The prevalence of breast cancer is the highest in Asian countries like India and Pakistan. He went on saying that it had been reported that approximately 178,388 new breast cancer cases were registered in Pakistan in 2020. At some stage of life, 1 in 9 Pakistani women had become the patient of breast cancer, added Dr. Waheed.  During the penal discussion Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saira Mehmood said, in Asia, Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer. Young women also present at advanced stage of breast cancer, which has negative effect on prognosis. Dr. Yasser Rehman Medical Oncologist, Dr. Nabia Tariq HOD OBS & Gynae, Dr. Aisah Amin HOD Radiology & Ms. Zubia Zubair Psychologist/Psychotherapist of MIH, & Ms. Khurshid a journalist were the panelists; whilst Dr Gulafshana Hafeez Gynecologist & Rubina Afzal HOD Corporate Business were the moderators.

Ms. Nayyar Ali senior journalist & Finance Secretary National Press also addressed the seminar.