Think pink

October is breast cancer awareness month. Slogans like ‘its October – think pink’ are a norm in the world during this month. According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Less than 15 percent of these women will have a family history of breast cancer. It is estimated that approximately 40,000 women will die from breast cancer in 2015.
Breast cancer is no longer a rare occurrence. Most of us know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. The woman may be a relative, friend, neighbour, loved one, co-worker or spouse of someone we know. It should be remembered that early detection of this disease is the key to the cure. Unfortunately, in our society women are more vulnerable because there is not only lack of awareness but we also have a defective healthcare system.
Mahrukh Ibrahim
Abbottabad