RAWALPINDI, Oct 29 (APP):The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), in collaboration with Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, organised a seminar to raise awareness about breast cancer, highlighting the importance of early detection, prevention and timely treatment.
RCCI President Nosherwan Khalil Khan, Patron-in-Chief Sohail Altaf, Senior Vice President Waseem Aslam, Senator Sherry Rehman, Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment Fouzia Waqar, Dr Anila Amin Khattak, Chairperson Romana Parvez and other speakers addressed the seminar.
The speakers called on the government to provide free mammography facilities at government hospitals across the country to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment, particularly for women unable to afford expensive medical tests.
Addressing the inaugural session, Senator Sherry Rehman said delays in breast cancer diagnosis remained a major cause of preventable deaths. She highlighted the gravity of the situation in Pakistan, where more than 100 women reportedly die from the disease every day.
She stressed that expanding access to screening, launching community-level awareness campaigns and adopting a coordinated national healthcare strategy were essential to reducing breast cancer mortality. Financial constraints, she added, should not prevent women from accessing essential diagnostic tests and treatment.
RCCI President Nosherwan Khalil Khan said Pakistan had a high incidence of breast cancer among Asian countries, with approximately one in every nine women at risk of developing the disease during her lifetime.
He emphasised that early detection significantly improved treatment outcomes and survival prospects, making public awareness, regular screening and accessible healthcare facilities essential.
He called for coordinated efforts by government institutions, healthcare organisations, the private sector and civil society to strengthen prevention measures and ensure timely diagnosis and quality treatment.
Participants urged the introduction of comprehensive nationwide breast cancer screening and treatment services, the provision of modern diagnostic equipment at government hospitals and the availability of trained medical professionals. They also stressed the need to educate women about early warning signs and encourage timely medical consultation.
The seminar concluded with a commitment to promoting breast cancer awareness, encouraging preventive measures and improving access to early diagnosis and treatment.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
