Int’l Day against breast cancer being observed today

ISLAMABAD: International Day against Breast Cancer is being observed today to raise awareness about this deadly disease and promote women´s access to timely diagnosis and treatment.

The theme for World Breast Cancer Day in 2024 is “No one should face breast cancer alone.”

This theme emphasises the critical role of patient-centered care, which encompasses medical, emotional, psychological, and social support through patient navigation systems.

It also seeks to address gender and socio-economic inequalities in access to breast cancer care.

President Asif Ali Zardari in his message stressed the need to raise awareness about breast cancer by addressing misconceptions and prioritising healthy lifestyle adjustments.

President Zardari said: “Pakistan needs broader level efforts to educate women about breast cancer, regular self-examination and mammographic screening.”

“Our policymakers and health officials need to plan and prioritise disease control activities, including improved treatment and individual patient care,” he added.

The president further said: “We need to ensure that our women have access to screening and early detection services which are critical in detecting cancer early and saving lives.”

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Besides, he said the role of media was critical in raising awareness about this disease, adding that “I would like to urge print, electronic and social media to educate people about the disease to save thousands of precious lives”.

President Zardari went on to say that “the International Day Against Breast Cancer is observed today to raise awareness about the disease and to promote timely diagnosis and treatment.

He said breast cancer was not only the most frequently diagnosed cancer but also the leading cause of death among women in low and middle-income countries.

“The incidence of breast cancer is more common in South Asian countries, majorly due to a lack of breast cancer awareness in women,” he added.

“In our country, one in every nine women is at risk of cancer and the late diagnosis of the disease considerably contributes to the high mortality rate. Moreover, economic obstacles deter many from receiving the require treatment,” the president said.

“Let us recommit to giving more support, care, and hope to patients, families and survivors of cancer. I am hopeful that our collective efforts at the individual, institutional and national levels would enable us to improve the overall health and well-being of the people and we would be able to reduce the mortality rate due to breast cancer in Pakistan,” he added.