As Pakistan has the highest incidence rate of breast cancer in Asia, 1 in every 9 women in the country is at risk of contracting this disease. Nearly 40,000 women die out of the 83, 000 cases reported yearly. This year, Graana pledges to educate, inspire, and empower people to honour Breast Cancer Awareness.
Joining the force of making an effort to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of breast cancer awareness through educating the people on breast cancer, and its signs, symptoms and treatment, Graana invited Dr Tabish Khalil, RMP MBBS to give a talk. Currently employed as a House Officer at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Dr Tabish enlightened the employees by spreading awareness and taking the taboo headfirst.
Men and women employees supported the cause fully by participating – most people were dressed in pink and everyone. The shining faces in the organisation was a delightful sight, while they learnt in a comfortable environment about the major risk factors of breast cancer, inheritance being the leading cause.
In the majority of women, cancer is first noticed as a lump. However, there are many other signs and symptoms that need to be taken into account. Women belonging to every age group can be affected. Around 77% of women with breast cancer are over the age of 50. There are a number of factors that put some women at a higher risk of contracting this disease. These are:
- Women having female relatives (grandmother, mother, sister or aunts) having cancer.
- The woman’s age, the higher it is, the higher the risk.
- Women who can’t give birth or delay giving birth until over 30.
- Women exposed to radiation.
The importance of early diagnosis was discussed, as with early diagnosis, the chances of full recovery and survival are over 90%. Every woman should have a mammogram and a physical exam by a doctor at least every year.
Breaking the barriers, impressive contributions were made to overcome the taboo as Minar-e-Pakistan, Mazar-e-Quaid, Pearl Continental and Marriott Hotels, MCB Tower Lahore and NETSOL turned pink in support of breast cancer awareness as a pink reminder to support the social cause throughout October.
By putting up an effort, Graana.com hopes that by spreading greater knowledge will lead to not just overcoming the taboo, but also earlier detection of breast cancer as women know how and when to act. Whether it’s a personal diagnosis or that of a loved one, finding answers to your questions, along with a supportive community of people who understand the experience can make all the difference. In a nutshell, along with quarterly check-ups, self-examination should also be practised as a lifestyle. It should be talked about like any other disease, so maximum help is given to individuals who are deprived of the basic information.
