Islamabad: First Lady Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari has urged women to take breast health seriously and seek medical advice if they notice any unusual changes. She said breast cancer is treatable and curable, and that early diagnosis and timely treatment can save lives.

According to Press Information Department, in her message on the commencement of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the First Lady emphasized the importance of understanding one’s body and taking action when something appears amiss. Regular self-examinations, she noted, can help women become familiar with normal changes and recognize when it is necessary to consult a healthcare professional.

The First Lady advised women over 50 to consider regular mammograms at available screening facilities. She highlighted that more than 90 percent of breast cancer cases are self-detected among those who do not receive regular mammography screenings, underscoring the importance of awareness regarding bodily changes.

She expressed concern that many women, particularly those in rural areas and low-income households, often seek medical help too late. This delay can be due to a lack of awareness, the distance to medical facilities, or the prohibitive cost of diagnosis and treatment.

Emphasizing that no woman should be denied a chance of survival due to economic status or geographical location, she called for government institutions and civil society to ensure all women have access to necessary health education, screening, and care.

The Sindh government, she noted, has implemented measures to enhance access to breast cancer screening and treatment, including free mammography and diagnostic services at public-sector hospitals, as well as cancer treatment units at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Dr Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi.

The First Lady urged women of all ages to incorporate breast self-examinations into their healthcare routines and stressed the importance of recognizing early signs of breast cancer and seeking prompt care.