MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Director General of Public Health, Dr. Farooq Ahmed Noor, convened a high–level meeting on Friday, to tackle the urgent issue of diagnosis of breast cancer in Pakistan, particularly Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by experts like Dr. Farhat Shaheen, Breast Cancer Focal Person and Regional Director of the MNCH Program, and Dr. Abdul Matin Khan, Coordinator of the National Program for Family Planning and the Village Health Worker Program.
The experts discussed shocking facts in the meeting stating that 1 out of 9 women have breast cancer in Pakistan, underlining the need for quick diagnosis and treatment to suppress the increasing rate id breast cancer cases in Pakistan.
According to doctors, a late diagnosis of breast cancer leads to a low rate of survival so an early diagnosis should be a must to handle such a situation.
Additionally, a four-week data collection program would be initiated from lady health workers of Azad Kashmir, in which the data of suspected women aged between 15-60 would be collected and passed on to the focal persons for further screening.
Lady health workers will also distribute counseling cards to enhance the awareness level of women regarding breast cancer, so they can act proactively to prevent the disease.
Dr. Farooq Ahmed Noor emphasized the need for collective efforts towards improving medical facilities and raising awareness about breast cancer while assuring that all possible means would be employed to fight this deadly disease.
The meeting is a crucial step towards the resolution of the ever–increasing problem of breast cancer in Pakistan.
