LAHORE: Leading medical experts have said that approximately 80 per cent of breast cancer cases in women occur with no specific risk factors.
They said an estimated 2.4 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer and, as per reports, 694,000 of them died of the same disease in Pakistan and other countries in 2024 alone, showing an alarming number.
They were addressing a national seminar on World Breast Cancer Awareness Day, under the auspices of Continental Medical College in collaboration with General Cadre Doctors Association, at a local hotel here on Wednesday. The theme of the day was “every story is unique, every journey matters”.
Ameeruddin Medical College (AMC) and Lahore General Hospital (LGH) retired principal Prof Al-Fareed Zafar said that breast cancer awareness day was a global opportunity to raise awareness about breast cancer and called for action to improve access to timely diagnosis and quality care. He said the theme of the day signified that every breast cancer experience was different and every affected person deserved to be supported and treated with dignity.
He suggested that all countries should aim to reduce breast cancer mortality by 2.5pc per year, bringing the world on track to avert 2.5 million breast cancer deaths by 2040.
He said that it was feasible to provide breast cancer services as part of the essential component of universal health coverage and make it available at public facilities.
Addressing the seminar, General Cadre Doctors Association President Dr Masood Sheikh said that effective intervention for early and timely diagnosis linked to comprehensive treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care were essential to reduce the burden of breast cancer and to achieve and maintain optimal functioning and well-being.
Continental Medical College Principal and renowned breast surgeon Prof Dr Ayesha Shaukat said that women of all ages should be aware of changes in the breasts and seek medical advice if something seemed unusual.
Former Punjab General Health Director Dr Zahid Pervaiz said that major inequalities in breast cancer survival persisted around the world as 41pc of women in low-income countries were expected to survive at least five years after a breast cancer diagnosis, compared with 87pc in high-income countries.
He said around 70pc of breast cancer deaths occurred in low and middle-income countries, where access to early detection, timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment remains more limited.
Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026
