Breast Cancer Crisis: Pakistan Reports 83,000 Cases Annually with 40,000 Fatalities

APP

Bahawalpur: Breast cancer has become a significant health concern in Pakistan, with a staggering annual report of 83,000 cases and 40,000 fatalities. Experts have identified Pakistan as having the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia, underscoring the gravity of the situation where an estimated one in 9 women may face the risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime.

Alarmingly, breast cancer is now manifesting in younger age groups, affecting women between the ages of 30 to 40 with an unprecedented level of aggressiveness. To combat this growing health crisis, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur Directorate of Women Health Care and Maternity Home took a proactive step by organizing an awareness seminar dedicated to breast cancer.

Chaired by the Faculty of Chemical and Biological Sciences Dean, Professor Shazia Anjum, the seminar aimed to shed light on the pressing issue. She emphasized that October, widely recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, provides a crucial opportunity to dispel myths, reduce stigma, and educate the public about the symptoms and available treatments for breast cancer.

Professor Shazia Anjum called upon educational institutions to take a leading role in raising awareness and breaking the silence around breast cancer. She stressed the importance of equipping female students and employees with knowledge that they can then share within their communities. By spreading the message, individuals can contribute to the protection of their loved ones and ensure early detection and treatment when necessary.

The seminar serves as a critical reminder that breast cancer is not only a health issue but a societal concern that requires collective efforts to combat. Raising awareness, dispelling myths, and fostering open conversations about breast cancer are essential steps towards reducing its devastating impact on women’s lives in Pakistan.