Session on cancer held at QAU

Islamabad
Cancer is becoming one of the major public health concern in Pakistan. Independent sources have highlighted an alarming rise in the new cancer patients across the country. The cancers of lung, gastrointestinal tract, prostate and breast are commonly encountered in the clinical practice.
This was highlighted in a symposium organised at the Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, says a press release.
A day-long activity was organised by the Human Genetics Lab, Department of Animal Sciences, QAU, to mark the ‘World Cancer Day’ which comprised a symposium, and awareness campaign on the campus.
In the inaugural session of the symposium, Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza, Chairperson Department of Bio Chemistry, QAU, addressed the audience and highlighted the key importance of the topic and the relevance with the academics.
Scholars and resource persons of the symposium including, Ms. Madiha Kanwal, research fellow, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, Dr. Rashida Abbasi, KRL Hospital, Dr. Ammad Khan, Department of Animal Sciences, QAU, and Dr. Ghulam Nabi Kazi, WHO, delivered thoughtful talks on various cutting edge discoveries in the field of cancer treatment.
Dr. Kazi mentioned that Pakistan is currently experiencing a proportional increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including cancers. He said that in 2012, a total of 148,041 new cancer cases of all types occurred in Pakistan, a significant proportion (30%) of which was of breast cancer cases.
“A high proportion of cancer cases and deaths can be prevented through appropriate planning and strengthening health services for timely response and control of cancer. Pakistan has currently no national or provincial cancer control plan or programme, and it is imperative to act with speed to prevent considerable morbidity and mortality,” said Dr. Ghulam Nabi Kazi.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Kazi also gave following recommendations to control the cancer in Pakistan.
Notifying a broad-based National Cancer Control Steering Committee comprising of stakeholders from all thematic areas and provinces; Developing a comprehensive National Cancer Control Plan that clearly delineates activities, milestones, timeline, budget, indicators and monitoring mechanism; Strengthening of the tobacco control programme; Consolidation of cancer control by increasing awareness among the general population and PHC providers; Strengthening of radiation medicine facilities across Pakistan in association with federal and provincial governments & Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, and Tapping social security nets like Zakat, BISP and Baitul Maal in the provision of diagnostic and treatment facilities for deserving patients.
A large number of faculty members and students attended the symposium and took great interest in the seminars. At the last session of the symposium Dr. Sajid Malik, symposium organiser, thanked all the resource persons and participants. During the refreshments, the resource persons interacted with the audience to answer their queries.