ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi, through letters addressed to the prime minister, ministers, parliamentarians, governors and journalists, has asked for their support in raising awareness about breast cancer and the importance of self-examination and early diagnosis.

The president invited them to become active and willing partners in this year’s breast cancer awareness campaign wherein women of underprivileged classes and women of flood-hit areas would be especially focused in the wake of recent devastating floods.

Dr Alvi pointed out that out of the 100,000 new cases of breast cancer reported every year in Pakistan, half of them succumbed to the disease due to late diagnosis. He added that 98pc of these precious lives could be saved by creating awareness amongst women about self-examination and early diagnosis.

Says half of women with breast cancer die due to late diagnosis

The president said that the campaign since the last four years, was led by First Lady Begum Samina Arif Alvi and had resulted in a significant increase in early reporting of breast cancer cases in hospitals.

In his letters addressed to eminent journalists, he thanked them for their continuous support during the last four years and said that without their support and passionate partnership the success of the campaigns could have not been possible.

He called upon them to play their role this year as well to create awareness among women on the paramount importance of self-examination and early diagnosis through news bulletins, special reports, dramas, morning shows, articles, columns and editorials.

The president enlisted a number of activities which have been planned this year to educate women and highlight the importance of self-diagnosis and early detection.

He added that this year’s awareness campaign would also underline the importance of meeting the nutritional needs of women of underprivileged classes and flood-hit areas.

Women must be educated about the importance of a healthy diet to minimise health-related issues, including breast cancer, he added.

It is worth mentioning that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and an annual campaign is launched to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer and raise voices together to help spread the word about the importance of breast cancer screening and support.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2022