ISLAMABAD, Jan 15: A screening centre for cancers of the cervix and breast is being set up at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) at the cost of Rs5 million, which will go into operation in the next two weeks.

Executive Director of Pims and Coordinator Pakistan Cancer project, Prof Dr Azhar Mahmood Qureshi said screening clinics would be set up at the Mother and Child Health (MCH). Initially the project will be funded by Pims itself. At a later stage donations would be sought from other sources.

Talking to media on Monday, he said cervix and breast cancers were the two most common among the malignant cancers in women. One out of every 15 women is diagnosed breast cancer while one out of 30 develops cancer of the cervix.

Prof Qureshi was presiding over a meeting organized to develop promotional materials to create awareness about cancer and precautionary measures.

The campaign will also include cancers of lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach and other tumors.

Pakistan cancer project was launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Prof Qureshi was appointed national coordinator. The project has been extended for another two years.

Dr Azhar said main objective of the campaign is to bring a change in people’s life style. The campaign will also include prevention measures for hepatitis and encourage people to get themselves vaccinated for hepatitis B.

The meeting was attended by senior physicians and surgeons from Rawalpindi Medical College, KRL hospital, NORI, Pims and the Children’s Hospital.

These experts have been assigned the task to develop and disseminate a pictorial handout within a week to inform the people about the warning signs through self-examination for timely prevention from cancer.

The material will be in the form of pamphlets through which the people would be informed about symptoms of cancer like pain in the back, persistent cough and bleeding, lump in the breast etc.

The material would be included in the syllabus of the school and college of nursing, lady health visitors etc.