ISLAMABAD: A study by the Federal Breast Cancer Screening Centre (FBCSC) has found that more than 7pc of women in the capital suffer from breast cancer, and recommends raising awareness in order to counter misconceptions about the disease’s occurrence.

The study raised awareness among 10,000 women in three years, conducted mammographies of 4,000 women over the age of 40 and diagnosed 300 women with breast cancer, Dr Ayesha Isani Majeed, associate professor of radiology and deputy project director at FBCSC told Dawn.

The FBCSC, which is located in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), is a project by the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS). The centre provides free mammography services and other breast cancer-related treatment.

Dr Isani said it was astonishing that there were misconceptions about breast cancer even in the capital.

“A large number of women believed that breast cancer spread from using injections. Others believed that cancer spreads by wearing black clothing. The public needs to be given awareness about the disease,” she said.

She added that private hospitals charge Rs3,000 to Rs5,000 for each mammography, which the FBCSC provides for free. In addition, free BRCA-I and BRCA-II gene tests, which cost Rs50,0000, will be provided as part of a pilot project.

Dr Isani said the study targeted rural health centres and basic health units in Islamabad. In addition to informing women, lady health workers were trained as well.

“Not only were women on how they can do self examinations, as there is greater prevalence of breast cancer in Pakistan compared to Western countries, we also held ultrasounds for 1,908 women who were below the age of 40. Around 90pc of all women had breastfed their children,” she said.

Discussing recommendations, Dr Isani said most women are not aware of this matter and an awareness drive is needed so people can understand what breast cancer is, how it is diagnosed and what its causes could be.

“If a mother has breast cancer steps should be taken to protect her daughter from breast cancer and gene tests should be done for that. It is unfortunate that women do not admit they can suffer from breast cancer unless that problem becomes complicated. It is advised to start treatment at the first stage of the disease,” she said.

Dr Isani said she hoped that the study would play a role to encourage the government to invest more in breast cancer treatment and diagnoses.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2019