FAISALABAD-Over 40,000 women die of breast cancer in Pakistan in a year as the country has the highest rate of breast cancer in Asia whereas early diagnosis can save lives, experts said.
A Breast Cancer Walk was arranged by Institute of Home Sciences, Faculty of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, UAF. The Walk started from Admin Block was concluded at Admin Block. The participants were carrying placards inscribed with slogans about creating awareness about the cancer.
Talking to participants, the speakers talking about factors of cancer said that social setup is the one of factors as women are reluctant to go for medical checkup. If a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, she avoids sharing the news even with their family members. They said that the early detection can save the lives. The deaths ratio in the developing countries like Pakistan is higher. The patients go to medical check when disease becomes severer and it is in advanced stage.
They said that there is a need to create the awareness about the balanced food that will lower down risk of many diseases.
University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar urged the students to adopt the simplicity in food habits like fresh vegetables etc. He called for creating the awareness about the disease for coping with different taboos and to handle the issues.
Faculty of Food Nutrition and Home Sciences Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said that the breast cancer is becoming the leading cause of cancer deaths. He said that if it was detected at early stages, chances of survival increases many times. He added that balanced diet can help decrease the risk of breast cancer. He stressed upon the need to make the proper check-up for prevention and the early treatment of the disease. He said that women who eat food having more fats increases the risk of developing the cancer.
In-change Institute of Home Sciences Dr Ayesha Riaz said that social taboos, illiteracy, and the myths are obstacle to early detect disease. She said better education/awareness of the disease and a healthy diet comprising fresh vegetables and fruits can help reduce risk of breast cancer. Umer Saeed Qadri, Kiran Khalid, Adeela Manzoor, Dr Binish Asad, Dr Asman Lodhi and other notables also spoke.