ISLAMABAD: Every month 90 to 100 new patients are diagnosed with breast cancer at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).

This was stated by assistant professor and consultant breast surgeon at Pims Dr Erum Najeeb while speaking at an awareness session on breast cancer held in the hospital.

Dr Najeeb said breast cancer was a leading cause of cancer-related death in women.

“Every year in Pakistan nearly 90,000 women are diagnosed and 40,000 die of this disease. The more worrisome news is that patients in Pakistan are much younger and are presenting in advanced stages,” she added.

Dr Erum Najeeb, the chief organiser of Pink Fest 2024, said in the last one decade, tertiary care hospitals of the capital like Pims have been equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic equipment with government’s support.

“Foreign qualified speciality trained professionals have been taken on board. Due to these initiatives and robust awareness campaigns there has been a slow but steady shift in patients presenting with earlier stages where patients are saved from disfiguring surgeries and less harmful treatments. Pims receives over 1,500 patients of breast-related issues every month in the Surgical OPD,” she said.

According to one report, more than 60pc of females are receiving diagnostic facilities and treatment within the timeframes set by international guidelines.

This figure is expected to improve with introduction of dedicated cancer hospital under development in Pims.

The event was inaugurated by Pims Executive Director Prof Dr Rana Imran Sikander. It featured an expert panel discussion with leading clinicians, including Prof Dr Rakshanda Rashid, Prof Dr S.H. Waqar, Prof Dr Mumtaz Ahmed, Dr Ayesha Isani, Dr Humera Mahmood and Dr Ahmareen Khalid. Team of Orthopedics Unit 2 headed by Dr Asfandyar Khan also attended the event.

Breast cancer survivors and patients also had the opportunity to share their personal stories, providing a platform for empowerment, healing and hope.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2024