Poor awareness responsible for rising incidence of breast cancer

Islamabad
A majority of deaths from breast cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan where most women are diagnosed at a later stage due to lack of awareness regarding early detection and barriers to health services. As such, raising awareness about the causes, prevention and treatment of breast cancer is the need of the hour.
This is the crux of a statement issued here on Friday by Minister of State for Health Saira Afzal Tarar in connection with Breast Cancer month, which is observed around the world every year in October. “The commemoration of this month is a stark reminder for us to revisit the current state of affairs. Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer in the whole of Asia, with every 9th woman at high risk of getting breast cancer at some point in her life. Its prevalence is maximum amongst all cancers in Pakistan, i.e. 38.5%,” Saira highlighted.
Breast cancer can be detected and cured at an early stage so it is important to focus on prevention and early detection since the survival rate of breast cancer increases to more than 90% if diagnosed early.
“One of the major reasons of high mortality from breast cancer in Pakistan is low female literacy rate and lack of preventive health awareness among the masses. Women and their families are not aware of the concept of early detection and at the same time they have very less information about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment methods and health facilities available,” Saira added.
The minister said, the government is fully committed to facilitate the breast cancer awareness programme and is extending fullest support to the provinces in affecting a decline in incidence.
There are about 1.38 million new cases and 458,000 deaths from breast cancer each year. Breast cancer is, by far, the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries.
In low- and middle-income countries, incidence has been rising steadily due to increase in life expectancy, increased urbanization and adoption of western lifestyles. The majority of deaths (269,000) occur in low- and middle-income countries.