To mark October as PINKtober the breast cancer awareness month, Pink Ribbon has launched a nationwide breast cancer awareness drive; and also started fundraising for building Pakistan's first dedicated Breast Cancer hospital. The campaign also includes reaching out to over 200,000 young girls for breast cancer awareness, as early diagnosis is key to fight out the disease. CEO Pink Ribbon Omer Aftab, said breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cancerous cause of death. Thus, there is a need that we pay special focus to prevent this disease, he said.
He highlighted that due to Pink Ribbon's intensive awareness work over the years, awareness about the disease has risen significantly and a demand for breast cancer services has emerged. It may be added that October is celebrated as the international month of breast cancer awareness worldwide. This year too Pakistan's national awareness campaign, Pink Ribbon is doing what is needed at various levels, by raising public awareness about the disease, highlighting the role of research into the causes of breast cancer and promoting the significance of early detection of breast cancer in terms of better treatment and survival.
Experts said that increase in the cases of breast cancer is also because most patients delayed getting help. They consider it against society's norms to inform others about the disease, or delay seeking help due to psychological barriers. Most of such cases, experts believe, can prove fatal, they added.
Omer added that to cater the needs, Pink Ribbon has started the construction of Pakistan's first dedicated Breast Cancer Hospital and we need ever more support to build this hospital to ensure that none of us will have to bear the horror of losing a mother, a sister, a wife or a daughter. He added that 10.2 million women are at high risk of getting breast cancer in Pakistan.