KARACHI: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in which annual campaigns to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer are held globally. Pakistan has the highest incidence rate of breast cancer among Asian countries.
One in every nine women has a lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer and around 109 women die every day due to it. Because of many misconceptions about the etiology of the disease and socioeconomic factors, Pakistani women have very low rates of early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer with fewer chances of survival. Therefore, the key to treating this disease effectively is early detection.
Fatima Jinnah Dental College (FJDC) held an awareness session on Breast Cancer at the Azam Town General Hospital (ATGH) last month. It was conducted by Dr Attia Anwar (Medical Superintendent-ATGH) and Dr Anila Naz (Senior Medical Officer, Emergency Room-ATGH). It consisted of a lecture, attended by 25 women from underserved communities of Azam Town and Akhtar Colony.
The participants were taught the protocols for self-examination techniques to detect early detection of this disease. After the workshop was concluded, the participants were requested to spread this knowledge among the females in their families in order to maximize awareness.
In a country like Pakistan where a male-dominated culture exists, females tend to place themselves last and end up not giving proper attention to their physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Breast cancer is a preventable disease, however, if allowed to progress, can prove fatal. Therefore awareness sessions such as these must be conducted regularly in every work environment that encompasses the majority of females.
The workshop was a very educational experience for the attendees as the information about this prevalent illness, along with prevention and treatment options were explained in detail. We urge all other institutes to conduct awareness sessions such as these regularly.
FJDC believes in action rather than just words and this is a cause that the institute is fully committed to.
