ISLAMABAD: Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fehmida Mirza on Saturday shared her experience as a cancer survivor with participants of a seminar.

The breast cancer awareness seminar, “Give hope, save lives”, was organised by the Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital (AECH), NORI.

Dr Mirza stressed the need for awareness about breast cancer not only in females but also in males and said three of her male family members had been affected by breast cancer.

Talking about the need for a centralised cancer registry, the minister expressed concern over the alarming figures in Pakistan where only 10pc cancer patients were diagnosed at stage-1 against 50pc in developed countries.

Says only 10pc cancer patients diagnosed at early stage in Pakistan against 50pc in developed countries

She said lack of awareness, fear of unknown and stigmas attached with breast cancer in society were the major contributor to the late diagnosis.

She said all provinces, especially the Sindh government, should ensure that the prime minister’s initiative of Sehat Sahulat Card is made available to all citizens.

“This is of crucial importance because after devolution of the health ministry, the responsibility of provinces has increased manifold. Since lack of resources on part of the patients is a major reason for late diagnosis, provinces should work hard to reduce gap between the increasing population and the depleting health services,” she said and also asked all media houses to play their role in spreading awareness by broadcasting prime time shows regarding breast cancer.

Earlier, AECH Director Dr Mohammad Faheem spoke about the newly-added facilities at the hospital which included the addition of high energy linear accelerator, cyber knife, digital mammography with tomosynthesis and other equipment.

He highlighted the alarmingly high figures of breast cancer prevalence among women in Pakistan, saying breast cancer accounted for nearly 40pc of all female malignancies which was the highest in Asia and constituted 25pc in both the genders.

Muneera Naeem, wife of PAEC Chairman Mohammad Naeem, who attended the seminar as guest of honour, also stressed the need for early diagnosis that is key to cure cancer. She appreciated the role of PAEC cancer hospitals and said out of total 35 cancer treatment hospitals in Pakistan 18 were being run by PAEC and the 19th in Gilgit would soon start operations.

Cancer survivors, including MNA Shaheen Saifullah, spoke about their experience of fighting the disease with the help of the NORI team. The MNA stressed the need for emotional support from families to the patients.

Head of the Oncology Department at NORI Dr Humera Mahmood chaired a breast cancer panel discussion. The participants said cancer patients needed to be treated irrespective of stage of the disease, the age of the patient and their financial status.

Later, a walk was held on the premises of the hospital to create awareness among the citizens regarding the disease.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2021