Chief Executive Officer of Pink Ribbon Pakistan Dr. Omer Aftab has said that Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer in Asia.
In an interview in connection with International Day Against Breast Cancer, he said that nine out of ten women in Pakistan are at risk of breast cancer, meaning that over 10 million women in the country are at risk of this disease.
He also pointed out that compared to the world, breast cancer in Pakistan is affecting younger age groups in the 20 years bracket which is an alarming situation.
Dr. Omer Aftab shared that out of 100 cancer cases diagnosed in Pakistan, 50 are related to breast cancer cases, highlighting the critical nature of the situation. However, he emphasized that breast cancer is the only type of cancer with more than a 90% survival rate if diagnosed early.
He encouraged women to prioritize their well-being and seek medical consultation without hesitation.
Chief Executive Office Pink Ribbon Pakistan Dr Dr. Omer Aftab informed that a campaign has been running in Pakistan for the last 22 years to raise awareness among women about the importance of early detection. .
He said that there is a high risk ratio of breast cancer and women are reluctant to report the disease or do not seek reliable treatment due to social taboos, lack of healthcare facilities and poverty. He stressed that if women self-examine once a month, women over 30 years get a check-up from a doctor once a year and women over 40 get a mammogram once every two years, early detection of breast cancer can significantly increase.
He appealed to women to prioritize their health by undergoing timely mammography screenings. He said that nowadays female technicians, radiologists, surgeons and oncologists are now available for mammography, ultrasound, surgery and chemotherapy.
Dr. Omer Aftab shared that government hospitals are now well-equipped for breast cancer treatment.
He informed that surgical support is available through health cards, and chemotherapy is supported through Bait-ul-Mal.
He said that the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission plays a significant role, with 20 hospitals across Pakistan providing cancer treatment, including breast cancer facilities.He said that the Punjab government has recently announced a cancer hospital with a special wing dedicated to breast cancer.
While informing about Pink Ribbon Hospital,
Dr Dr. Omer Aftab informed Pink Ribbon has built a dedicated breast cancer hospital in Lahore, offering free diagnostic services. He informed that in two months, this hospital will also provide surgery and chemotherapy facilities.
