First Lady Asifa Urges Women to Prioritise Early Detection of Breast Cancer

Hamid Khan Wazir

ISLAMABAD: First Lady Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari has urged women to take breast health seriously and seek medical advice if they notice any unusual changes, insisting that breast cancer is treatable and curable, and that early diagnosis and timely treatment can save lives.

Pakistan has one of the highest breast-cancer burdens in Asia, with breast cancer the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Pakistani women. An estimated 30,682 new cases were recorded in 2022, accounting for 31.3% of all female cancer cases.

In her message on the commencement of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she said the month provides an opportunity to remind women that looking after their health also means knowing their bodies and taking action when something does not feel right.

Regular self-examination can help women become familiar with normal changes in their bodies and recognise when they need to seek medical advice.

According to the world health organization (WHO), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, as in 2024, a total of 2.4 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide. 694 000 women died from the disease and 8.2 million women were living with breast cancer at the end of the year.

The First Lady said women over 50 should consider regular mammograms at facilities that offer screening services. She also pointed out that more than 90 per cent of breast cancer cases are self-detected among those who do not undergo regular mammography screening, making awareness of body changes particularly important.

The First Lady said what is most concerning is that many women, particularly in rural areas and low-income households, still reach doctors too late. Sometimes it is because of lack of awareness, sometimes because medical facilities are too far away and sometimes because the cost of diagnosis and treatment feels beyond reach.

She said that no woman should lose her chance of survival simply because she is poor, lives far from a major city or is afraid to seek help. Our government institutions and civil society must do more to ensure that every woman has access to the health education, screening and care she needs.

The Sindh government has taken several steps to make breast cancer screening and treatment more accessible, including free mammography and diagnostic services at public-sector hospitals and cancer treatment units at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Dr Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, she added.

She called on women of all ages to make breast self-examination a regular part of their healthcare routine and stressed the importance of recognising the early signs of breast cancer and seeking care without delay.

Know the signs

For women of all ages, it is important to be aware of changes in the breasts and to seek medical advice if something seems unusual. Signs can include a breast lump or thickening, changes in the size or shape of the breast, changes in the skin or nipple, or abnormal or bloody fluid from the nipple. For women in age groups where mammography screening is recommended, a mammogram may be recommended in health care settings with adequate screening services.

Knowing the signs, being breast health aware and seeking care promptly can help support timely diagnosis and treatment. While breast cancer outcomes have improved in many countries, major inequalities remain. Access to early diagnosis and effective treatment can vary significantly, contributing to large differences in survival between countries.