Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi called upon social media influencers to create awareness about the breast cancer and highlight the need for conducting regular self-examinations for its early detection. The president, addressing the social media influencers here as part of the breast cancer awareness campaign, said the social media could prove an effective platform for creating awareness about the breast cancer and helping reduce the mortality rate in Pakistan caused by the deadly disease. He said if the breast cancer was detected at early stages, 99 per cent of its patients could be saved, and could live healthy and normal lives.
“If the cancer is detected at the 3rd and 4th stages, the 5-year survival rate is up to 86 per cent and 28 per cent respectively, which can be significantly higher if detected and treated at an early stage,” he added. The president highlighted that the breast cancer incidents were the highest in South Asia as compared to the other regions and were even higher in Pakistan due to lack of screening programmes in the country.
“Our country does not have the resources to provide clinical screening facilities to all the breast cancer patients across the country due to the small number of screening machines but the same function can be performed by the women themselves. “If they find any growth in their breast areas or around it, they should immediately report and seek medical help,” he said. President Alvi said the incidents of breast cancer could be minimised by adopting a healthier lifestyle like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking, alcohol and other drugs. The president said women needed to be empowered in financial and economic terms, and provided space in the society and public places to enable them to perform all the routine functions without harassment, intimidation or fear. He said a harassment-free environment for women would help them contribute to the socioeconomic development of the country.
