KARACHI, On October 29, 2024: Professor Dr. Saba Sohail, Principal of Dow Medical College, addressed a mini-symposium focused on breast cancer awareness at the Arag Auditorium. She emphasized that Pakistan holds the highest breast cancer rate in Asia, particularly affecting premenopausal women. Alarmingly, many cases are diagnosed at Stage III and IV due to a lack of screening, which can be lifesaving.
Dr. Sohail advocated for timely mammographic screenings, stating that these tests could significantly reduce breast cancer-related mortality. Despite the discomfort associated with mammography, she recommended that women over 40 undergo the test biennially to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.
The symposium, organized in collaboration with Dow University of Health Sciences, Civil Hospital’s Breast Surgery Unit, and the Department of Medical Oncology, featured notable speakers including Dr. Nargis Muzaffar from SIUT and Dr. Maryam Nauman from Dow University. They discussed common misconceptions regarding breast cancer screening, highlighting that a 3D mammogram enhances early detection by 40% while reducing unnecessary screenings.
Statistical insights presented by Dr Sohail revealed that a staggering 63.4% of the Pakistani population mistakenly believes that mammography causes breast cancer due to radiation exposure. Additionally, she noted that over 75% of breast cancer patients do not have a family history of the disease, underlining the importance of regular screenings for women aged 30 and above.
Other speakers included Dr. Abida Sattar from Aga Khan University, who discussed axilla management, and Dr. Ameema Saleem, who covered surgical strategies in breast cancer treatment. Dr Raja Rahul provided crucial data from the oncology department at Civil Hospital, revealing that among 5,051 registered cancer patients from 2020 to 2024, 34% were breast cancer cases.
The event concluded with Professor Farhat Jaleel detailing the comprehensive resources available at Civil Hospital for breast cancer treatment, including various surgical and diagnostic facilities provided free of charge.
To further engage the community, a bake sale was organized by the Pink Ribbon Foundation and Dow University students, which included an awareness desk on breast cancer and a donation campaign for treatment.
The symposium served as a crucial platform for disseminating knowledge and encouraging proactive health measures to combat breast cancer in Pakistan.
