Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world. The WHO believes that the way to combat this issue and increase chances of survival is early detection. This is possible by making sure to get regular breast exams after the age of 20 and then mammographs, which medical professionals believe you should begin starting at the age of 40. The important thing here is to remember that this kind of information is severely lacking in many underdeveloped areas around the globe. Pakistan is no exception to this as in the rural areas, there is a distinct lack of medical infrastructure on top of a lack of correct education. However, while rural areas suffer the most due to the gaps in education, many sources note that even major cities are facing this problem. Increased awareness is necessary and can only become possible with further development and initiatives.
Early detection of breast cancer and beginning treatment in early stages increases the survival of the person by almost 93% according to the United States Carol-Milgard Breast Center. So here are a couple of things you can do to participate in breast cancer awareness month in Pakistan and help spread the knowledge to prevent the grave outcome of this disease by catching it earlier on.
One of the most vital things you can do is educate yourself and others. Find out more here (insert hyperlink for this external page https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam and bold the word) about how to conduct a breast exam at home so that you can stay informed and up to date about yourself. Share such information with all the women in your life, especially the ones who do not have the same access to information and education as you might. Another important step would be to familiarise yourself with the symptoms by becoming familiar with the symptoms related to breast cancer from reliable sources such as the ones listed [here.]1
You can also take advantage of the current Pinktober offers being made by hospitals such as AKU, who are currently offering specials on mammography screenings and consultations until the 31st of December in honour of raising awareness. Aside from this, you can take note of the medical institutions that are providing free tests and treatment of breast cancer listed below. You can again share these with those women in your life who may struggle with the costs of private health care:
Hayatabad Medical Complex (Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Bait-ul-Sukoon Hospital (Karachi, Sindh)
JPMC (Karachi, Sindh)
Shaukat Khanum Hospital (Lahore, Punjab)
Lastly, and definitely most crucially, you can contribute to breast cancer awareness by making it a topic that isn’t easily dismissed by the social and cultural setting we live in. Women can have a difficult time talking about breast cancer as their families and doctors do not give them a safe space to bring it up. We all must work to normalise an environment where women in Pakistan can discuss breast cancer freely and be informed in both its prevention and detection
