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PESHAWAR, Jul 10 (APP):An awareness seminar titled “Defeat Cancer – Moving On After Breast Cancer” was held at Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar, in collaboration with the Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning (PILL), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The event aimed to promote breast cancer awareness, stress the importance of early detection, and advocate for timely treatment, especially among women in underserved urban and rural communities.
The seminar drew participation from healthcare professionals, university faculty, and students, reflecting a strong commitment to addressing the growing burden of breast cancer.
Speaking at the seminar, Dr. Tayyaba, Director of the ABC Project, stated that one in every nine women is at risk of developing breast cancer during her lifetime.
She emphasized the life-saving role of early diagnosis and mammography, noting that real support for patients goes beyond sympathy—it requires education, medical access, and community engagement.
She added that the ongoing campaign aims to reach over 10 million people across cities, villages, and underserved areas with essential information on symptoms, screening, and treatment options.
Dr. Tayyaba also highlighted the mental health challenges such as depression and stress that cancer patients face, calling for a holistic care approach.
Dr. Amjad, Hospital Director of KMU Hospital and Research Center, shared that nearly 2.1 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer globally each year.
He stressed the disparities in survival rates—about 80% in high-income countries compared to 40% in low-income regions—due to unequal access to screening and treatment.
Raising awareness about mammography and early detection, he said, is crucial to improving outcomes in resource-limited settings.
Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq, Vice Chancellor of KMU, stated that regular screening and self-examination significantly increase the chances of successful treatment.
He reiterated that breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women globally, but survival rates are improving due to early diagnosis and modern treatment methods. He noted that the provincial government is taking serious steps to improve breast cancer prevention programs, especially for low-income populations where diagnoses often occur at late stages. KMU, he said, is committed to expanding screening and mammography services across the province to reduce late-stage cases.
The seminar concluded with a collective call to action. Participants urged the public to take early symptoms seriously, get screened regularly, and support awareness efforts. The event reaffirmed KMU’s dedication to building a healthier, cancer-aware society through collaboration and education.