As part of the international campaign, the entire month of October will be observed as breast cancer awareness month in Pakistan according to a press release of Pink Ribbon issued on Monday.
Breast cancer is a curable disease, if it is diagnosed at an early stage.
Pink Ribbon has sought assistance of the media and to work in coordination with them to target the Pakistani public in creating awareness about breast cancer, “to inform them of what breast cancer is as well as the devastating effects that it can have on not only the individual diagnosed with the disease but on the family and community, if it is not identified and treated at an early stage.”
Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer for any Asian population in the world. It is the most frequent malignancy in women, and accounts for 38.5 per cent of all female cancers which is 90,000 new cases every year. About half (43.7%) of all breast cancers are locally advanced and result in 40,000 deaths every year.
However, very little information on breast cancer is available in Pakistan. Many people believe that breast cancer is a death sentence. Late detection and no follow up for treatment has resulted in high levels of mortality. However, with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, patient’s chance of surviving is higher than 90 per cent.
Pink Ribbon Campaign is, therefore, aimed at creating widespread awareness. Its goal is also to become centre of excellence for breast care information.
The campaign will also create awareness about self-diagnosis and that the disease need not be fatal.
The campaign will focus on general awareness through regular articles, ranging from the human experience, testimonies of survivors and their families as well as more specialized medical articles describing procedures, nutritional information and exercises that can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
Besides education people about early detection, the campaign will also offer information about the route that treatment takes and the essential aspect of emotional support so as to survive cancer.
It will aim to get people talking about breast cancer and remove the taboo linked to this illness through education to young and old females as well as males.