‘Pakistan has highest prevalence of breast cancer in Asia’

Karachi
Around 60 percent cases of cancer come from the Fata region at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and Pakistan has the highest prevalence of breast cancer in Asia, health experts said on Thursday.
They were speaking at a lecture seminar on “Breast Cancer Awareness Session” held at the University of Karachi by the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) in collaboration with Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust.
Dr Esha Saqib from Shaukat Khanum Hospital said progression of breast cancer was associated with genes. “Some women inherit changes in breast cancer genes. Such women are at a much higher risk of developing breast cancer,” she said.
“Estrogen is a hormone which is normally produced in females and takes part in reproductive function. Women who are overexposed to estrogen due to early periods, late menopause or late childbirth may be at a relatively increased risk of breast cancer.” Talking about the symptoms, she mentioned a lump or thickening in an area of the breast, a change in the size or shape of a breast, dimpling of the skin or the skin becoming like orange peel, eczema like rash or ulcer over the breast, and a swelling or lump in armpit. “These signs do not necessarily mean one has cancer but if someone notices any such changes, she should get a check-up,” Dr Saqib said.
She stressed breast cancer was not caused by the use of microwave, colours of cloth, caffeine, and use of cell phone and deodorant. “The disease is not communicable,” she said. “The risk factors associated with breast cancer includes alcohol, smoking, radiation, overweight, family history, age and exposure to estrogen.”