Begum Samina Arif Alvi has said that the breast cancer in Pakistan was being addressed at an unprecedented scale and was being taken seriously. 50,000 women of low-income households have been educated about Breast Cancer during the past two years, she added. She also lauded the media's role in creating awareness about Breast Cancer by spreading her message. The breast cancer awareness campaign is yielding results as breast cancer is no more considered a taboo, she said. She gave these remarks while addressing a Breast Cancer Awareness Program held, at Governor House, today. Begum Samina Arif Alvi was also accompanied by begum Reema Imran, wife of Governor Sindh Imran Ismail.
Begum Samina Arif Alvi aslo inaugurated the National Breast Cancer Awareness Helpline and said that the helpline would encourage those women who feel shy of coming to hospitals. She advised women to go for screening so as to identify breast cancer as early as possible. Begum Samina Arif Alvi encouraged women to be bold and inculcate the habit of self-examination.
Expressing concern on the prevalence of Breast Cancer in Pakistan, she said that Breast cancer was not only being diagnosed in women over the age of 50, but young girls and even men were also being diagnosed with breast cancer. The number of breast cancer deaths is increasing in Pakistan due to the paucity of screening and radiation facilities and because of the stigma attached to this disease, she added. She also requested the influential and philanthropists to donate to institutions which have radiation and screening facilities.
She said that breast cancer related health facilities should be made available at least at the Divisional level. The provincial governments should also sensitize women through polio and lady health workers, she suggested.
Begum Samina Arif Alvi also appreciated Jinnah Hospital, Agha Khan Hospital, Kiran Hospital, Naval Hospital and Shifa Hospital for carrying forward the message of Breast Cancer across Pakistan. She also appreciated efforts of her Breast Cancer Task Force.
The breast cancer awareness program was attended by women from all walks of life including celebrities of TV and theatre, Diplomats, and parliamentarians.
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