President Zardari, PM Shehbaz urge women to seek timely medical advice on breast cancer

President Asif Ali Zardari, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have urged women to get medical counsel early if they have any worries about their health on Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

In his message President Asif Ali Zardari said that breast cancer was a disease which afflicted thousands of Pakistani families, and its implications were not limited to the patients but had social and emotional impacts on the entire families. He urged women to be alert for any changes in their health and to seek proper medical assistance.

The president said the family and the community should make an environment in which the women may speak of their health problems openly and take medical help without any fear and hesitation. He also highlighted the need to provide emotional, social and family support to women living with breast cancer and to women who have completed treatment.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the issues about awareness of breast cancer, early identification, appropriate treatment and continuous care were vital. The government was determined to ensuring that no Pakistani woman was denied of timely and quality treatment due to her location or financial status, he said.

The prime minister said the government was collaborating with the concerned federal, provincial and municipal institutions to enhance access to primary healthcare services and specialised cancer treatment. He underlined the need to provide special attention to women in rural and underdeveloped areas, where access to healthcare facilities was still limited.

“Lady health workers are playing a vital role in creating awareness among women about symptoms of breast cancer, self-examination, timely medical advice and importance of visiting healthcare facilities,” he stated. Special training was also being imparted to the primary health care professionals to boost the early detection capacity.

The Prime Minister said that the Federal Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnostic Center at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) was providing screening and diagnostic services, free drugs and referrals for suspected cases requiring further treatment. The government was also working with public health programs and commercial organisations to increase access to screening.

Shehbaz Sharif asked families, media, religious leaders, educational institutions, civic society and medical experts to assist overcome the taboo and hesitancy about breast cancer and motivate women to get prompt screenings and treatment.

In her message, first lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari urged women to take care of their health and approach skilled medical professionals without any reluctance whenever they have any health issues. She said people with breast cancer required the support of their family and society during this tough period.

The first lady thanked doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, volunteers, patient support organisations and the media for their efforts. She noted the need for open communication and correct information on breast cancer, so that no woman would feel alone in her treatment or in facing the disease.