Over past ten years, Mahira Khan has been affiliated with breast cancer awareness programme organised by Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital Research Centre (SKMCH). Breast cancer is by far most common type of cancer in females.

However, medical technology has made advancements in early detection and treatment of this nerve-racking disease. Superstar has taken initiative of spreading much-needed awareness. As we all know, certain things are taboo within our Pakistani society and speaking of one’s breasts is obviously one of them.  “It’s been 10 years since I have been working with Shaukat Khanum Memorial hospital for breast cancer awareness,” Khan shared in an interview with Independent Urdu. “So, whenever anyone approaches me with same thought, I am readily onboard.  But difference between girls and women of now and ten years ago is visible. Understanding of disease, precautions, awareness, know-how of symptoms, I feel like we have made a difference.”

“There’s more awareness now. People talk about breast cancer.  Do you know, earlier people wouldn’t even talk about this because there’s a certain shame attached to breast cancer?  They were irked by word breast itself.  They used to feel shame. This is an issue we have faced time and again. Shame. I want to ask reason breast is just another body part.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 05 2022

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