Breast cancer is a silent epidemic that has long plagued the women of Pakistan. Its devasting impact on millions has often been overlooked, leading to a lack of awareness and resources for its prevention and treatment.

The alarming statistics paint a grim picture of the breast cancer crisis in Pakistan. Over 10.2 million women in Pakistan are at risk of developing breast cancer, making it the highest-risk nation in Asia.

Breast cancer prevalence is the highest among all cancers in Pakistan, accounting for 38.5 per cent of all cases.

An astonishing 40,000 women lose their lives to breast cancer every year. The incidence of this disease is increasing, even among young girls, at a rate of 10 to 15 per cent a year.

Shockingly, 70 per cent of the patients are diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer when they finally seek medical attention.

Pakistan’s battle against breast cancer is fraught with numerous challenges, making it a complex public health issue. These challenges include:

Increasing incidence rates:

The increasing number of breast cancer cases, even among young girls, is a significant concern.

Cultural taboos:

Deep-seated social and cultural taboos make it difficult to openly discuss breast cancer, hindering awareness and early detection.

Lack of awareness:

The masses lack awareness regarding breast cancer, its risk factors and preventive measures.

Delayed diagnosis:

Women, even in metropolitan cities, tend to delay seeking medical attention, leading to a large number of cases being diagnosed at advanced stages.

In the face of these formidable challenges, there is a need to provide people with tools that can help in early detection, proper treatment and better survival. Steps that can be taken include:

Education:

Reaches out to women and girls nationwide, educating them on preventive techniques and promoting a healthier lifestyle to mitigate the risk of breast cancer. Organisations like Pink Ribbon Pakistan are trying to create awareness through education among Pakistani women.

Support:

Provide a compassionate support system, offering counsel and guidance for women experiencing symptoms. Connecting patients with appropriate healthcare facilities for timely diagnosis and treatment is important.

Dedicated hospitals:

Free-of-cost, dedicated hospital facilities can help financially struggling patients find treatment. Pink Ribbon Pakistan is in the process of establishing Pakistan’s first dedicated Breast Cancer Hospital, where deserving patients will receive free-of-cost treatment under one roof. This hospital is set to be fully operational by January 31, 2024.

Medical co-pay assistance programme:

Establishing programmes to reduce the financial burden on patients by providing financial assistance, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to treatment.

Breast cancer awareness-generating organisations are making efforts to educate female students about breast cancer, empowering them with knowledge about early detection techniques. Notably, their efforts have led to a considerable increase in mammograms in the country, saving countless lives.

However, there is still much work to be done to tackle this pressing issue effectively.

To combat breast cancer in Pakistan, the following steps are essential:

Prioritising breast cancer in the national health budget:

Allocating sufficient funds to address breast cancer nationally is crucial for developing comprehensive prevention and treatment programs.

Diagnostic facilities at district headquarters level:

Ensuring that diagnostic facilities are available at the DHQ level can facilitate early diagnosis and treatment, particularly in rural areas.

Price control on breast cancer medicines:

Reducing and controlling the prices of breast cancer medicines is essential to make treatment accessible and affordable.

Availability of necessary molecules:

Advocating for the availability of all necessary molecules required for breast cancer treatment is crucial to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

Ban on cancer-causing food ingredients:

Advocating for bans on food ingredients known to cause cancer can contribute to reducing the risk factors associated with breast cancer.

Creating breast cancer awareness, support, and treatment requires persistence. With continued efforts, Pakistan can combat breast cancer and offer countless women and their families hope and a brighter future.

The writer is CEO of Pink Ribbon Pakistan