HEC, Pink Ribbon join hands against breast cancer

The HEC had decided to join hands with Pink Ribbon Pakistan to create awareness about breast cancer and help early detection among female university students.Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer in all of Asia, while the prevalence of breast cancer is at the highest 38 percent among all cancer. The decision was made in a meeting held at the HEC Secretariat between HEC officials and headed by HEC Chairman Dr Javaid R Leghari and Pink Ribbon chairperson Fariba Shiraz Thomson, he said.
The HEC chairman nominated Dr. Samina Amina Qadir to head the task force for launching the pink ribbon campaign throughout the higher education sector. “Every university will be asked to nominate a focal point for coordination,” he said.
The HEC chairman further said that the HEC commission also planned to begin a research project on the prevalence of breast cancer in Pakistan by taking on board all major medical universities of the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Thomson said, “We are looking for established institutions to work with, that’s why we have chosen the HEC for the purpose.”
Pink Ribbon is a global charity organisation aiming to create a global community to support and spread breast cancer awareness.
During the meeting, HEC Executive Director Dr Sohil Naqvi suggested a Breast Cancer Research Working Group to be formed to do research on the issue. He said the HEC can also set aside funds from our research programme. “Our medical universities have the human resources and facilities to work on it.”