LARKANA: Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nusrat Shah on Tuesday underscored the need for scientific research to better understand the rising incidence of cancer.
Speaking as chief guest at a breast cancer awareness seminar titled ‘Umeed-i-Gulabi 2026’, she listed poverty, population growth, limited health awareness and unqualified practitioners using unscientific treatment methods as significant public health challenges.
“I am more sensitive to it [breast cancer],” she said, adding that the session aimed to promote public awareness, encourage early detection and stress the importance of timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Describing the incidence of breast cancer in Pakistan as a “huge burden”, she said one in 10 women in the country had been affected by the disease.
Mortality was very high, she said, at around 40 per cent in Sindh alone, where late diagnosis owing to a lack of screening, compounded by poverty and social stigma, were key factors.
Appreciating the services of the Larkana Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy (LINAR), she pointed out that Chandka Medical College Hospital currently lacked mammography facilities and said the Sindh government should equip it with them. She underlined the importance of genetic counselling and appropriate pre-marital medical guidance to help reduce the risk of certain inherited disorders associated with cousin marriages.
She urged women to overcome fear and social stigma surrounding breast cancer and seek timely medical advice. She said she was pleased to see young women taking the lead in the health sector in the region.
Prof Dr Sarah Fatima, Dr Musarrat, Dr Hafeezullah Soomro, Dr Iqra and Dr Shagufta Solangi delivered presentations on myths and misconceptions about breast cancer, early warning signs, breast self-examination, the risks of delayed treatment, diagnostic procedures and available treatment options. The experts stressed that any unusual changes in the breast should be medically evaluated.
Highlighting the global and national burden of the disease, the speakers cited World Health Organization (WHO) statistics indicating that about 2.4 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, while around 694,000 deaths were attributed to it. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s GLOBOCAN 2022 estimates, Pakistan recorded about 30,682 new cases of breast cancer among women, and an estimated 15,552 deaths, that year.
Stage Play
A highlight of the seminar was “Umeed-i-Gulabi”, a stage play written by Abdul Samad Bhatti and performed by university students. Through its characters, the play addressed fear, misconceptions and social stigma associated with breast cancer, and conveyed a message about awareness, family support and timely medical intervention.
‘Pink Walk’
The event concluded with a ‘Pink Walk’ to raise public awareness and express solidarity with breast cancer patients and survivors.
The seminar was organised by SMBBMU in collaboration with LINAR Hospital, Fujifilm Pakistan and Pink Ribbon Pakistan.
A large number of faculty members, healthcare professionals, women from the community and students attended.
Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2026
