Islamabad: In a unified call, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged the media to intensify efforts in educating the public about breast cancer on the International Day against Breast Cancer. Both leaders highlighted the critical need for widespread awareness and early detection measures to combat the high mortality rates associated with the disease in Pakistan.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, President Zardari emphasized the alarming statistic that one in every nine women in Pakistan is at risk of breast cancer. He pointed out the detrimental impact of late diagnoses and called for comprehensive educational initiatives on self-examination and mammographic screening. The President also encouraged policymakers and health officials to enhance disease control activities, ensuring that women have access to necessary screening and early detection services.
Prime Minister Sharif, echoing President Zardari’s sentiments, stressed the effectiveness of early detection and treatment in significantly improving survival rates. He highlighted that a timely diagnosis could lead to a 98 percent chance of recovery. The Prime Minister called for a coordinated national awareness campaign to not only increase knowledge but also decrease the incidence of breast cancer deaths across the country, offering hope for a healthier future for all women.