PESHAWAR: A Breast Cancer Awareness Event organized by Public Health Association (PHA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and attended by Deputy Speaker KP Assembly, Mehmood Jan, Women Lawmakers from KP, Health Secretary KP and other stakeholders, held in a local Hotel here on Thursday.
The Program organizer Dr. Saima Abid welcomed all the participant to discuss the progress on KP Breast Cancer Early Detection Initiative and the Cancer Control Policy.
KP Breast Cancer Early Detection Initiative aims to provide high quality care to breast cancer patients with state of the art Mammograph machines in seven divisions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The meeting aligned the stakeholders around the continuous engagement needs to increase awareness about breast cancer, the importance of early detection and the availability of affordable treatment.
Deputy Speaker KP Assembly, Mehmood Jan, who was the chief guest said, “KP government is committed to provide high quality care to Breast Cancer patients.
Recognizing the gravity of the problem and need of the cancer patients, KP government has included all kind of cancers in Sehat Sahulat program (Sehat Card Plus), and has increased the amount to 10 million Rupees, while extending the services to the full province. Our vision is to develop a sustainable cancer control policy in the province.”
In order to initiate preventive measures, awareness and immediate referral at the Primary Health Care level, I will direct health department to train Lady Health Workers”, he added.
Breast cancer is a terrifying thought, most of the women assume that it won’t happen to them. The fact is that 1 out of 8 women is at risk of suffering from breast cancer in Pakistan. Breast Cancer accounts for approx. 40, 000 deaths per year in Pakistan. It is one of the leading cause of cancer related deaths among female. The disease also occurs in 1% of male population. Breast Cancer puts a lot of financial burden on the families while effecting them both emotionally and psychologically. Lack of awareness, and early detection, social barriers and inaccessibility to the health care system is detrimental to the survival of breast cancer patients.
The risk factors include genetic factors like BRCA 1, 2 & p 53 gene mutations, female gender, growing age, high estrogen exposure, obesity, lack of exercise, stress, early menarche and late menopause etc.
Any women over 40 years, or having family history of breast cancer should go for the Mammography test, since early detection saves lives. Switching to healthy eating habits, regular exercise, maintaining normal weight, avoiding the use of over-the-counter medication, especially hormonal medicines is recommended by physicians.
Member of provincial Assembly (MPA), Ayesha Bano, MPA Rabia Basri, MPA Baseerat bibi, Director IRNUM, INOR, Founding President Public Health Association KP, Secretary Health, Director Curative Health Department, renowned doctors, and surgeons attended the event. At the end of event Dr. Saima Abid gave a vote of thanks to the participant and guests, with briefly discussing the whole event.
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