Clinical oncologists have raised the alarm that there is frightening increase in the ratio of breast cancer in Pakistan, and recent statistics show that now every 8th woman in the country is at the risk of suffering from this fatal disease. These oncologists from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre were addressing an awareness seminar, held at the Government College University, Lahore under the auspices of its Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC).
Addressing the seminar, noted actress Amna Shiekh, who is the ambassador of the breast cancer awareness campaign in Pakistan, said breast cancer was a major cause of deaths among women and it was necessary to raise awareness on it. She called on the students to work as volunteers in their families to raise awareness among their female family members. She believed breast cancer was not fatal; rather it was ignorance which made it fatal." Early detection can result in survival rate of 90 percent,' she added.
Addressing the students, SKMCH clinical oncologist Dr Murriyam Hassan highlighted that the situation had become more critical as more and more young girls were falling victim to breast cancer. She also dispelled the impression that only females were the victim of breast cancer. "There is one percent chance of developing this disease in men and hundreds of such cases have been reported throughout the world," he added. Dr Murriyam briefed the GCU female students about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and methods of self examination.
In reply to question from a student, the clinical oncologist said that all women were at risk of developing breast cancer, while the factor that put some women at greater risk was family histories of breast cancer. Speaking on the occasion, GCU QEC Director Iram Sohail said that health and educational institutions were needed to be more focused and should come out with more awareness campaigns and seminars in a country where one in eight women were expected to be treated for invasive breast cancer
She said pink ribbon was an example of how one sign could be symbolic to a cause. "Breast cancer is not just a disease that strikes a woman; rather it strikes at the very heart of all those who are associated with us; our children, our family etc" she added. Ms Iram Sohail also briefed the students on the history pink ribbon camping which had been started in 1992. Chairing the closing ceremony, GCU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman laid stress on initiating ingenious research projects on advanced biology, lasers, MRIs and medicine.
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