By Our CorrespondentĀ
LAHORE – A national seminar was organized by the General Cadre Doctors Association at Continental Medical College and Hayat Memorial Hospital, Lahore, in connection with World Breast Cancer Day.
R3ad also:Ā Family physicians key pillar of healthcare system, says Maj Gen Nadeem Afzal
Addressing the seminar, Chairman of Continental Medical College, Professor Dr. Fareed Zafar, said that 2.4 million women worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, out of which nearly 700,000 die. In 80 percent of cases, no specific cause is found. He stressed that awareness among women and timely diagnosis are essential to reduce deaths from breast cancer. The disease runs in families and is generally seen more in overweight women over the age of 40.
President of the General Cadre Doctors Association, Dr. Masood Sheikh, said that smoking, alcohol consumption, excessive use of X-rays, not breastfeeding children, and late marriages can all become causes of breast cancer. He said that to ensure timely diagnosis, it is necessary to expand the screening and mammography program to the grassroots level. A lump of 1-2 cm can be detected through self-examination or by a physician, while mammography can detect a lump as small as 2-5 mm.
Renowned breast surgeon and Principal Professor Ayesha Shaukat said that in 164 countries of the world, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer among women. Most lumps in the breast are not cancerous, but timely diagnosis is crucial. She said that global efforts are underway to reduce the incidence of this disease by 2.5% every year so that 2.5 million women’s lives can be saved by 2040. Breast cancer is a major problem in the third world because poor patients neither get diagnosed in time nor can they afford expensive treatment.
Former DG Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz said that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60% of women should be diagnosed between stage 1 and 2, and the diagnosis should be completed within 60 days. He added that treatment of 80% of women should be completed.
