Among Asian countries, Pakistan has the highest incidence of breast cancer. According to a research conducted, approximately 1 out of every 9 women is likely to suffer from breast cancer at any point in her life and about 77% of invasive breast cancer occurred in women above 50 years, but if diagnosed early the survival rates approach 90%.
BRCA stands for “breast cancer gene” and refers to two different genes – BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes actually are known as “tumor suppressor genes” because of the role they play in helping to repair DNA breaks that can lead to cancer. Testing for mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 is an important tool for predicting breast cancer. Early detection of this disease can protect women from this most horrifying and horrendous reality.
Pakistani women are deficient in knowledge about breast cancer. Breast cancer awareness includes addressing misconceptions about the subject and prioritizing healthy lifestyle adjustments. Pakistan needs broader-level efforts to educate women about breast cancer, breast self-examination, and mammographic screening.
The available shreds of evidence on breast cancer incidence in women also reveal that, in Pakistan, only a few centers provide early treatments for breast cancer, thus, a majority of the patients with breast cancer get inadequate treatments. Due to the low health budget of the country, there is a scarcity of modern cancer care infrastructure.
Understanding the major gaps, Pink Ribbon took the initiative to develop Pakistan’s First Dedicated Breast Cancer Hospital in Lahore. Once fully operational, the hospital will be able to provide free-of-cost world-class treatment to thousands of deserving patients each year, Insha’Allah.
Your Zakat for the hospital can help us save countless valuable lives.