FAISALABAD
Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer in Asia Pacific as 1 out of 9 female in the country is at risk of the disease, killing 40,000 women every year.
It was echoed at an awareness seminar on breast cancer arranged by Institute of Rural Home Economics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad.
Director Institute of Rural Home Economics Dr Naheed Abbas said that prevalence of breast cancer was prevalent among 38 percent women in Pakistan. She said that the women who eat higher levels saturated fats had double risk of breast cancer compared to those eating the least. She said illiteracy, social taboos and myths were the main hindrance in early detection, which impeded diagnosis and treatment. She said that better education/awareness of the disease and a healthy diet helped in reducing risk of breast cancer. She urged the women to make proper check-up for prevention and early treatment of the disease.
Dr Sarwat Saqib from Aziz Fatima Hospital said that women hesitance to discuss the disease was one of cause for high number of breast cancer patients in the country.
Dr Binish Asad said that balanced diet help reduce the risk of breast cancer. She said that breast cancer was becoming the leading cause of cancer deaths. She said that the women who eat more fruit have the risk of the breast cancer. Hira Iftikhar also spoke on the occasion.