Breast Cancer Awareness session at Aiwan-e-Sadar
P
resident Dr. Arif Alvi shared that over 100,000 women in Pakistan are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. Sadly, 35,000 don’t survive due to late detection. He emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and breaking social taboos.
Media Interaction
During the media interaction, Mr. Faisal Zahid Malik, Chairman & CEO of Pakistan Observer, was also present. President Alvi highlighted the importance of a preventive approach due to limited resources for medical treatment.
He urged women to conduct self-examinations and seek immediate medical help if any abnormalities are detected. President Alvi also mentioned how last year.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) relayed 120 million call-waiting messages about breast cancer, following his suggestion.
President Alvi encouraged journalists to actively support the fight against breast cancer by incorporating the topic into their articles and TV programs.
President Alvi shared that he and his spouse, Samina Alvi, have consistently raised awareness about breast cancer from the presidency for the past five years.
They emphasized the importance of continuity in health and education policies for a balanced society.
The president also highlighted the need for short-duration health courses to produce more healthcare workers. Begum Samina Alvi praised the media for effectively highlighting the topic and encouraged the campaign to continue beyond October.
Awareness Program
Breast cancer awareness is all about educating people about the signs, symptoms, and importance of early detection.
It’s about encouraging regular self-exams, mammograms, and seeking medical attention if any abnormalities are noticed. By raising awareness, we can save lives and support those affected by this disease.
Begum Alvi emphasized the need to sensitize male family members about the challenges of breast cancer and encourage them to support women in seeking proper medical care.
The session also highlighted the importance of raising awareness about mental health issues. President Alvi shared that research shows 24% of the population in Pakistan suffers from mental health problems, while there are limited resources with only 550 psychiatrists and 1,200 psychologists available.
The president and Begum Alvi also addressed questions from journalists regarding national-level efforts on breast cancer and mental health.
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