Timely diagnosis vital to prevent rise in breast cancer cases: Samina

Published February 16, 2022
First Lady Samina Arif Alvi receives a bouquet from a girl on her arrival at Islamabad Model College for Girls on Tuesday . — APP
First Lady Samina Arif Alvi receives a bouquet from a girl on her arrival at Islamabad Model College for Girls on Tuesday . — APP

ISLAMABAD: Every year, around 100,000 women in Pakistan are diagnosed with breast cancer and the only solution to prevent this disease is timely diagnosis, First Lady Samina Alvi said on Tuesday.

She was speaking at a breast cancer awareness event held at Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG).

Every 13 minutes, a woman in Pakistan is diagnosed with breast cancer with an alarming 45pc mortality rate, she said, adding that 90pc of these patients could recover from the disease with the help of early screening and diagnosis.

Raising awareness among women about self diagnosis could save thousands of precious lives, she said, adding that not only does the patient suffer but her family members suffer too as they have to bear the financial burden of the expensive treatment.

Begum Alvi expressed satisfaction that her awareness drive about breast cancer was going on successfully across the country and urged women to spread the word to at least 10 women in their circle.

She also urged male members of the family to realise the suffering attached with the disease and support women so they could get proper medical care.

Women in the country are playing a vital role in all fields of life and it was important to be concerned about their well-being, the first lady said, lauding media’s role in spreading the word on breast cancer through special television programmes and news stories.

Earlier, IMCG Principal Aliya Durrani gave an outline of the activities of the college and emphasised upon the significance of raising awareness among female students on important issues including breast cancer.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Gruesome murders
Updated 12 Jul, 2025

Gruesome murders

Long-term security can only be achieved when there is equitable development across Balochistan.
Solar policy
12 Jul, 2025

Solar policy

SOLAR net metering reforms are back in the limelight. On Thursday, Power Minister Awais Leghari announced that he...
New hope
12 Jul, 2025

New hope

EDUCATION shapes the destiny of a nation. Sadly, Pakistan’s public education sector is experiencing a national...
PIA privatisation
Updated 11 Jul, 2025

PIA privatisation

While it does give the privatisation authorities a much-needed head-start, it will not be sustainable unless preceded by policy and regulatory reforms.
Beyond expectations
11 Jul, 2025

Beyond expectations

THESE are tough times, but the country is lucky enough to still be considered home by a large expatriate workforce,...
Train in vain
11 Jul, 2025

Train in vain

TALK of ‘revival’ of the long-dead Karachi Circular Railway has turned into a running joke for denizens of this...