President Asif Ali Zardari, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have urged women to seek timely medical advice if they have any concerns about their health. In his message on Breast Cancer Awareness Day, President Asif Ali Zardari said breast cancer affected thousands of Pakistani families, with its consequences extending beyond patients to affect the social and emotional lives of entire families.

He encouraged women to pay attention to changes in their health and seek appropriate medical advice. The president said families and society should create an environment in which women could openly discuss health concerns and access medical facilities without fear or hesitation. He also stressed the need to provide emotional, social and family support to women living with breast cancer and those who had completed treatment. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said breast cancer awareness, early detection, quality treatment and continued care were important concerns.

He said the government was committed to ensuring that no Pakistani woman was deprived of timely and quality treatment because of her location or financial circumstances. The prime minister said the government was working with relevant federal, provincial and local institutions to improve access to primary healthcare services and specialised cancer treatment. He emphasised the need to pay particular attention to women in rural and underserved areas, where access to healthcare facilities remained limited. 

He said lady health workers were playing an important role in raising awareness among women about breast cancer symptoms, self-examination, timely medical advice and the need to visit healthcare facilities. Special training was also being provided to strengthen the capacity of primary healthcare staff in early detection. According to the prime minister, the Federal Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnostic Centre at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) was providing screening and diagnostic services, free medicines and referrals for suspected cases requiring further treatment.

The government was also working with public health programmes and private organisations to expand access to screening. Shehbaz Sharif urged families, the media, religious leaders, educational institutions, civil society and medical professionals to help break the silence and hesitation surrounding breast cancer and encourage women to seek timely examinations and treatment. In her message, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari urged women to prioritise their health and consult qualified medical professionals without hesitation whenever they had concerns.

She said women affected by breast cancer needed support from their families and society during this difficult period. The first lady appreciated the contributions of doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, volunteers, patient support organisations and the media. She stressed the need for open discussion and accurate information about breast cancer so that no woman felt alone while seeking treatment or facing the disease. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)