KARACHI - Sindh Madressatul Islam University observed the Pink Ribbon Day on Friday. In this respect a program was held in its Sir Shahnawaz Auditorium, where female speakers said that about forty thousand women are died annually in Pakistan due to breast cancer, while 1.38 million women become victim of the said disease in the whole world, every year.
Speaking at the program as a chief guest Shaista M Ali said that breast cancer is a fatal disease for women, but in our country women are taking it as a taboo. Therefore, such ignorance is a major hurdle in beating up breast cancer. She said that there was a need to spread awareness among common women and girls about breast cancer, which will help them to get diagnosed it in its primary stage.
“Our girls and women are usually gripped with a fear of cancer, that is why they are avoiding consulting a doctor, which proves harmful for their lives in later days,” she said.
Dr Ambreen Fazal, Chairperson of Department of Media and Communication Studies of SMIU said that if the beat breast cancer is diagnosed in its early stage, there would be 90 per cent chances to survive from it. She said that women should discuss this kind of issues with their family members and doctors without any fear and hesitation, because this is a matter of life. SMIU’s girl students also talked on the subject and emphasised to spread awareness about the breast cancer especially among girls, women and family members. On this occasion a Pink Ribbon Dress Competition was held among the female students of SMIU, where, in students’ category, Nada Yasir got first position and Nimra stood second. In teachers’ category, Shaheena got first and Sahar Channa second position. SMIU’s faculty member Kokab Jehan also gave a detailed presentation on the breast cancer and suggested some priliminary steps to control it. In the end prizes were distributed among the winners of competition. The program was attended by SMIU’s female faculty, staff members, female students, Principal of SMIU Model School Nabila Kanwal and female teachers and girl students of the school.
On this occasion SMIU’s girl students also organised sports activities and formed a symbol of Pink Ribbon in SMIU’s sports ground.