First lady stresses to identify reasons behind breast cancer

LAHORE, Oct 09 (APP):First Lady Samina Alvi on Wednesday stressed the need for identifying the reasons behind increasing number of breast cancer patients in Pakistan.

Addressing an awareness seminar on breast cancer organized by Home Economics University Lahore (HEUL) here, she said 90 percent cases of breast cancer were curable if diagnosed at early stage.

She said educational programmes and awareness seminars should be conducted to give acquaintance to masses about prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

The first lady said early diagnosis could help in saving lives of many women who fell victim to the disease.

Samina Alvi said such events would prove helpful in highlighting awareness regarding the causes, precautionary measures and treatment of the disease.

She said PIMS and Jinnah hospital were providing free of cost test facility to patients while efforts were being made to consult with private hospital for providing free memography test or on 50 percent payment so that maximum number of women could undergo initial screening test.

She said breast cancer cure was available, and that immediate treatment must be started after diagnosis without any delay, adding electronic and social media must be used for awareness campaign. “One month is not sufficient for awareness
campaign, this campaign should be run throughout the year”, she added.

On the occasion, Begum Punjab Governor said women should start breast cancer treatment instead of hiding this disease without fear of shame and social stigma because breast cancer cure was possible through early diagnosis and treatment.