'34,000 new breast cancer cases diagnosed every year in Pakistan'

KARACHI: The Founder and President of the Pink Pakistan Trust, Dr Zubaida Qazi, said that our motive is to promote awareness regarding breast cancer. There is no better platform, like the University of Karachi, which represents all segments of society.

She observed that there are an estimated 40,000 fatalities every year due to breast cancer. One out of every eight women suffers from this fatal disease, which includes our country too. Awareness is a vital way to fight this disease.

“Illiteracy and poverty are the prime causes of delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer. It is so unfortunate that women from cities hesitate in conducting tests for breast cancer.”

She was addressing at a free medical camp organized by the University of Karachi (UK) and Pink Pakistan Trust at Karachi University Clinic. More than 10 doctors participated in the camp and provided awareness while diagnosing students, faculty members, and other staff from breast cancer.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, KU, Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, said that early diagnosis is the only cure to this deadly disease. He mentioned our society’s dilemma of people refusing to talk about this disease; it is our collective responsibility to not ignore but take good care of such an affected person. Universities are the best platforms to promote awareness regarding breast cancer and its cure.

“Thousands of students studying in varsities play a vital role in promoting breast cancer awareness. I would like to commend the efforts of Dr Zubaida Qazi and her team, Students Advisor Dr Syed Asim Ali and his team, for the successful holding of this medical camp.”

Earlier, Prof Emeritus, Dr Zabta Khan Shinwari, said we need to conduct research on this fatal disease, its rapid spread, and its subsequent eradication. He added that this is such an amazing imitative of the Karachi University and the Pink Pakistan Trust.

Dr Faria Usman from the Pink Pakistan Trust said that 34,000 new breast cancer cases are diagnosed every year, and 16,000 deaths are reported in our country per annum. The chances of survival increase with early detection of the disease.

Dr Kausar Abbas from the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre said that this medical camp's purpose was to promote awareness regarding this disease. "It is increasing rapidly in the country, and we need to promote its awareness rather than ignoring it."

Dr Sadaf Nasir from the Liaquat National Hospital, said that we need to take breast cancer as a disease rather than ignoring it. “Women tend to ignore the symptoms which are dangerous and ultimately fall victim to the disease.”

-MN Report