It is very unfortunate that despite repeated pleas by the medical experts, our society sill stigmatizes some fatal health issues pertaining to reproductive health like the uterine cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and also the mental diseases.

The stigma and taboos attached with these diseases can be removed through awareness, which is key to detecting these health issues in time and preventing and treating these diseases in time so that previous lives can be saved. 

As the month of October is marked by Breast Cancer awareness campaigns, one such awareness seminar was held this week at Sindh Madressatul Islam through collaborative efforts of the Colgate-Palmolive Pakistan which collaborated with Pakistan Olympic Association Women and Sports Commission, Syed Foundation and Karachi Sports Foundation to hold an extremely informative session on the deadly disease. And the crust of the speeches delivered by the key speakers like Dr Prof. Dr. Rufina Soomro, Professor of Surgery, at Liaquat National Hospital and  Chief Guest Dr Shahnaz Memon, Senior Medical Officer Health Department, Govt of Sindh and other speakers  was that awareness is the key and that early detection of breast cancer can save lives, adding awareness is important especially in our country as the mortality rate due to this deadly disease is the highest in our society in entire Asia.  

The seminar shed light in details on the causes, symptoms, risk factors of the Breast cancer, saying one in eight women develop breast cancer in their lifetime while the mortality rate is about 3 percent (one in 36).  However, the good thing is that  if detected in early stages, the survival rate is higher as the smaller cancer, the less the chance of spread and the better is chance of cure, so Dr Soomro advised women to make a regular breast exam which they can do for themselves at home and by observing any of the above mentioned symptoms, they should immediately consult the doctor.

 About the risk factors, she said that being a woman is the main risk factor for breast cancer, which is 100 times more common in women than men, the risk for breast cancer increases with age, as around 77 percent of women with breast cancer are over the age of 50 at the time of diagnosis. A person with one first-degree relative with breast cancer, like a mother, sister, or daughter, has doubled risk for breast cancer, adding that a large number of women with breast cancer have no family history. 

It was really informative for the participants to know tht breast cancer risk factors included women over 40 years, early menarche, late menopause, oral contraceptives,  genetics, late first child, alcohol use, hormone replacement therapy, radiation, geographic location, diet, obesity, cancer in another breast, family history, etc.   

In the wake of the rising cases of the deadly disease in the country, Prof Soomro advised women to conduct a breast self-examination as due to simple check, they can detect any unusual increase in the size of one breast, one breast lying lower than the other, puckering or dimpling of the skin, a rash on or around the nipple, recent turning in of the nipple, fluid or blood coming from the nipple, orange peel appearance, and enlarged axillary lymph nodes, adding if they find any of these symptoms, they should immediately consult the doctor so that it can be controlled in time. 

As a matter of fact, a three-step approach, including self-examination, clinical examination and mammography can guarantee good breast health, so the women were advised to follow a healthy lifestyle marked by physical activity and balanced and nutritious food, and also advised them to stop smoking, and limit alcohol intake.  Dr Shahnaz Memon, Senior Medical Officer Health Department, Govt of Sindh, said since awareness is the key so we should mobilise our resources to create the same among the masses.

“ Media, particularly the electronic media, can play a pivotal role in this connection as its message can reach far-flung and event areas where seventy percent of Pakistan’s population live and fifty per cent of them being women, adding that we also need to sensitize the male of our society, especially the fathers and the husbands so that they take abrupt action when such a situation falls any of the female members of the family.

The host Mrs. Fatima Lakhani, Chairperson Pakistan Olympic Association Women & Sports Commission, said that the Commission has been playing a pivotal role in issues regarding women’s  health including sports women, etc because sports and health go together.  And yet another important factor was discussed by none other than the Secretary of, the Pakistan Olympic Association Women & Sports Commission Ms Veena Masud, who also played  host to this all-important health session, saying that it has been observed that women in rural areas usually keep a mum on health issues regarding breast cancer or the female reproduction system and it is only when the diseases spread, then they talk to family members or consult a doctor.  

They should be strictly advised not to ignore the symptoms. As far as the role of NGOs and organisations working in health sectors are concerned, that was dealth in details by other speakers like   Dr Asif Ali Wagan,  Asif Azee, the Chairman of KSF, Mr Asif Azeem, Syed Waseem Hashmi of Syed Foundation, who also addressed the seminar and said that NGOs and organizations working in the health sector must continue with their breast cancer awareness campaigns.

And last but not the least, the Colgate-Palmolive representative said that that they aimed at removing the taboo and shame that is often forced onto those at risk is a big priority. Hence Colgate-Palmolive remains dedicated to giving women the support and awareness they need in their fight against breast cancer.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 29 2022

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