Experts call for awareness drive to fight breast cancer

TIMERGARA: Health experts here on Friday said that cultural taboos and hesitation to seek treatment often led to delayed diagnosis which was the primary cause of high mortality among the women suffering from breast cancer

They were speaking at a daylong workshop titled Breast Cancer Awareness Month held at RHSC-A Chakdara for Facility Incharges, Family Welfare Workers (FWWs), and Field Technical Officers (FTOs). The theme for 2025 is “Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters.”

Addressing the participants, District Population Welfare Officer (DPWO) Lower Dir, Kinan Pasha, said breast cancer was the most common cancer among women in Pakistan, with one in eight affected. He noted that cultural taboos, shame, and hesitance to seek treatment from male doctors often lead to delayed diagnoses and high mortality rates.

He stressed the need for sustained, community-based education campaigns to counter misconceptions, involving health professionals, religious scholars, and community influencers to encourage screening and regular mammograms.

The DPWO said capacity-building sessions were conducted for 41 participants, equipping them to educate women at their respective facilities. He added that the Population Welfare Department has set a target to reach 7,000 women across the district through static facilities and mobile outreach activities to help reduce the burden of breast cancer.

Miss Nabila, lecturer at Dir Nursing College, conducted an interactive session on breast cancer awareness. She explained its signs and symptoms, trained participants in breast self-examination techniques-recommended after the monthly period-and led a women-exclusive discussion.She pointed out that breast cancer mortality remained particularly high in Asia, calling for open community-level conversations on the issue.