ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have emphasised the countrywide public awareness and collective efforts at individual and national levels to reduce the mortality rate due to breast cancer in Pakistan.
The president, in his message to the nation on the International Day Against Breast Cancer annually observed on October 19, said that breast cancer was not only the most frequently diagnosed cancer but was also the leading cause of death among women in low and middle-income countries.
He said the incidence of breast cancer was more common in South Asian countries, majorly due to a lack of breast cancer awareness in women.
“In our country, one in every nine women is at risk of breast cancer and the late diagnosis of the disease considerably contributes to the high mortality rate. Moreover, economic obstacles deter many from receiving the required treatment,” the president added.
He said the International Day Against Breast Cancer was observed to raise awareness about the disease and to promote timely diagnosis and treatment.
He said that this year’s theme “No One Should Face Breast Cancer Alone” for Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminded us of the importance of support, solidarity, and care for every person dealing with this disease.
He stressed the need to raise awareness about the disease by addressing misconceptions and prioritizing healthy lifestyle adjustments.
He said that Pakistan needed the broader level efforts to educate women about breast cancer, regular self-examination and mammographic screening.
He urged the policymakers and health officials to plan and prioritize disease control activities, including improved treatment and individual patient care.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of raising awareness and promoting early detection of breast cancer, particularly among women.
Highlighting the global prevalence of breast cancer as the most common form of cancer affecting women, he noted that a significant number of deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, including Pakistan.
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In a message on the occasion of International Day against Breast Cancer, the prime minister acknowledged the challenges the country faced in providing adequate screening and treatment facilities for breast cancer. However, he stressed that these obstacles could be overcome through a strong focus on early diagnosis.
