First Lady, Begum Samina Arif Alvi, has urged girls and women to regularly conduct self-examination for five minutes every month for the early detection of Breast Cancer. She was addressing a breast cancer awareness session organized by the Saint Joseph’s College for Women, Karachi. Students, staff members, faculty, former students and caretakers of the college attended the session. The session involved a talk with the students and teachers as the First Lady believes with conviction that schools and colleges are the hubs of education and learning, they play a pivotal role in perpetuating and shaping mindsets that are then responsible for producing individuals who occupy places of significance in society. Addressing the occasion, Begum Alvi stressed the need for a timely diagnosis of breast cancer to ensure a healthy life. While her personal engagements span over four years with regard to Breast cancer Awareness and assistance, she is currently involved in various initiatives regarding the fight against Breast Cancer and the need to spread its awareness. She stated how Pakistan has the highest incidence of Breast Cancer in Asia. She spoke about the initiative which commenced from Aiwan-e-Sadr and has now spread all across the country with the intention to fully educate and equip women across Pakistan with the knowledge and assistance to take this disease hands-on. Awareness walks, setting up centres for Breast Cancer detection/ mitigation and innumerable talks on spreading awareness across the country are just a few of the many activities the First Lady has spearheaded to fight the spread of Breast Cancer and provide support to its fighters and survivors. First Lady told the gathering, that October, being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, holds immense significance and stressed how imperative it was for early detection to mitigate the impact of Breast Cancer and enhance the survival rate of patients suffering from it. She urged the students and teachers of the college to pay heed to the seriousness of the matter and for them as the future of this country to play an active role in spreading awareness among themselves as well as the society by and large. She further went on to highlight how Breast Cancer was more than ever, brushed under the rug for the taboo this topic carried within our societies, she mentioned how her team and the efforts they have put into fighting this disease have now garnered rapid support, where media has been actively engaging in spreading the message, telephonic messages are run before each call is made, celebrities have joined the effort to spread the message and social media has been used as a pivotal tool to reach out to as many people as possible. Her talk also mentioned how men, although at a lower risk, are also vulnerable to the disease, a concern many are unaware of. As the sickness is mostly, and only associated with women. She spoke on Shaukat Khanum’s accord that the disease is treatable and entirely curable if detected within stage 1 or stage 2. Thus, making early detection the most integral part of the fight against Breast Cancer. Stating that 98 per cent of patients are likely to recover completely if made aware of self-examination and early detection. First Lady detailed the presence of Breast Cancer Examination centres set up throughout the country, 13 (Sindh), 8 (Punjab), 3 (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and 5 (Baluchistan), in order to make accessible the support provided by the Government. These centres were spread throughout the country and also offered discounted rates during the month of October, offering free detection and subsequent assistance. The First Lady also stated that her team was constantly working towards fighting this ailment and also supporting the flood-affected victims of Breast Cancer who are the most vulnerable segment of society at this point in time. She further urged the gathering to take a pledge, in joining this effort and spreading the message to their family, friends, and beyond.
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