Mahjabeen Channa

Breast cancer is no longer a disease affecting only a few families; it has become one of the most pressing public health challenges of the 21st century. Across the world, millions of women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Yet, despite advances in medical science and improved treatment options, thousands continue to lose their lives because the disease is detected too late. In many developing countries, including Pakistan, the lack of awareness, social stigma, delayed diagnosis, and inadequate healthcare facilities continue to fuel this silent epidemic. Therefore, breast cancer awareness is not merely a health campaign; it is a lifesaving necessity.

Among Asian countries, Pakistan bears one of the heaviest burdens of breast cancer. It has the highest rate of breast cancer mortality and morbidity in Asia. Approximately 90,000 new cases are reported annually, and more than 40,000 women lose their lives to the disease each year. It is estimated that one in every ten Pakistani women may develop breast cancer during her lifetime. According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer accounted for 14.5 percent of new cancer cases and 11.7 percent of cancer-related deaths in Pakistan. Alarmingly, around 89 percent of breast cancer patients in the country are diagnosed at a late stage, while nearly 59 percent present with advanced disease. These statistics reflect not only the severity of the disease but also the urgent need for awareness and early detection.

One of the greatest challenges in Pakistan is the silence surrounding breast health. Discussions about breast cancer are often considered uncomfortable or inappropriate due to socio-cultural norms and taboos. Many women hesitate to speak about breast abnormalities because of embarrassment, fear of social judgment, or concerns about their marital relationships and family acceptance. The fear of surgery, pain, loss of femininity, and physical disfigurement further discourages women from seeking timely medical attention.

In rural areas, these barriers become even more pronounced. Limited literacy, poor access to healthcare facilities, financial constraints, and reliance on traditional healers often delay diagnosis. Many women first seek spiritual healing or home remedies instead of consulting qualified healthcare professionals. Consequently, by the time they arrive at specialized cancer hospitals, treatment options become limited and survival rates decline significantly.

The experiences of other Asian countries demonstrate that awareness and organized screening programs can dramatically improve outcomes. In Japan, nationwide awareness campaigns and regular screening programs have contributed to earlier diagnosis and better survival rates. Women above a certain age are encouraged to undergo mammography at regular intervals, supported by public health initiatives.

Similarly, South Korea has made substantial progress through its National Cancer Screening Program, which provides breast cancer screening services and promotes public education regarding early detection. The program has led to increased participation in screening and improved treatment outcomes.

Singapore also offers an important example. Through the Breast Screen Singapore program, women are encouraged to undergo mammograms every two years. Educational campaigns, community outreach, and accessible services have enhanced awareness and reduced the fear associated with breast cancer screening.

Even neighboring India has expanded awareness campaigns through government and non-governmental initiatives. Community health workers educate women about breast self-examination and warning signs of breast cancer. Although challenges remain, these efforts have contributed to increased awareness, especially among rural populations.

Pakistan can learn valuable lessons from these Asian experiences. Public education, affordable screening, and community engagement have the power to save thousands of lives.

Awareness begins with understanding the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Women should seek medical advice if they notice a lump in the breast or underarm, changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, nipple discharge, nipple inversion, redness, persistent pain, or unusual swelling. Recognizing these symptoms early can significantly improve treatment success.

Breast self-examination (BSE) is a simple and cost-effective method that women can perform at home once every month. Although BSE does not replace clinical examinations or mammography, it helps women become familiar with their bodies and identify unusual changes promptly. Healthcare workers, nurses, and lady health visitors should be trained to educate women about proper breast self-examination techniques, particularly in underserved communities where advanced screening facilities are unavailable.

Clinical breast examinations and mammography services should be expanded across Pakistan’s healthcare system. Unfortunately, such facilities are not widely available at primary healthcare centers, especially in rural districts. The government must integrate breast health services into existing maternal and reproductive health programs to ensure broader reach and accessibility.

Pakistan urgently requires a comprehensive national cancer registry. Reliable data collection is essential for effective policymaking, resource allocation, research, and program planning. Accurate records would help healthcare professionals and policymakers identify trends, evaluate interventions, and develop targeted strategies to reduce the burden of breast cancer.

Breast cancer awareness is not solely the responsibility of doctors, hospitals, or governments. It is a collective responsibility shared by families, communities, educational institutions, religious leaders, media organizations, and civil society. Every conversation that breaks the silence, every woman who learns self-examination, and every family that encourages screening contributes to saving lives.

Breast cancer detected early is often treatable and survivable. No woman should lose her life because of fear, stigma, ignorance, or lack of access to healthcare. Pakistan must transform awareness into action by promoting education, expanding screening services, strengthening healthcare systems, and fostering a supportive social environment. By learning from successful examples across Asia and prioritizing women’s health, Pakistan can reduce breast cancer mortality and give thousands of women the chance to live healthy, productive lives.

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Read: Breast cancer cases to rise by nearly 40% by 2050, WHO warns

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New York

Breast cancer cases are expected to increase by 38 percent globally by 2050, with annual deaths from the disease projected to rise by 68 percent, according to a new report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized branch of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The findings, published in Nature Medicine on Monday, warn that if current trends continue, the world will see 3.2 million new breast cancer cases and 1.1 million related deaths each year by mid-century.

The burden will be disproportionately felt in low- and middle-income countries, where access to early detection, treatment and care remains limited.

“Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide and one woman dies from the disease, and these statistics are worsening,” said Dr. Joanne Kim, an IARC scientist and co-author of the report.

“Countries can mitigate or reverse these trends by adopting primary prevention policies, such as WHO’s recommended ‘best buys’ for noncommunicable disease prevention, and by investing in early detection and treatment,” she explained.

A growing global burden

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women worldwide and the second most common cancer overall.

In 2022 alone, an estimated 2.3 million new cases were diagnosed, with 670,000 deaths reported. However, the report highlights significant disparities across regions.

The highest incidence rates were recorded in Australia, New Zealand, North America and Northern Europe, while the lowest rates were found in South-Central Asia and parts of Africa.

Meanwhile, the highest mortality rates were reported in Melanesia, Polynesia and Western Africa, where limited access to healthcare contributes to poorer outcomes.

The link between breast cancer survival and economic development is stark: in high-income countries, 83 percent of diagnosed women survive, whereas in low-income countries, more than half of women diagnosed with breast cancer die from it.

Urgent need for action

The WHO launched the Global Breast Cancer Initiative in 2021, aiming to reduce breast cancer mortality rates by 2.5 per cent per year, which could prevent 2.5 million deaths by 2040.

The initiative focuses on early detection, timely diagnosis and access to quality treatment.

Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of IARC’s Cancer Surveillance Branch, emphasized the need for high-quality cancer data to drive better policies in lower-income regions.

“Continued progress in early diagnosis and improved access to treatment are essential to address the global gap in breast cancer and ensure that the goal of reducing suffering and death from breast cancer is achieved by all countries worldwide,” she said.

The path forward

The report underscores the importance of stronger health systems, increased funding for breast cancer screening and treatment, and the adoption of cost-effective prevention policies.

With the projected rise in cases and deaths, the international community faces an urgent challenge – one that requires coordinated action to ensure millions of lives are not lost to a disease that is increasingly preventable and treatable.

Read: Cashing on the illicit breast milk trade….

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Courtesy: UN News (Posted on Feb 25, 2025)

The post Breast cancer cases to rise by nearly 40% by 2050, WHO warns first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Mubarak Faryad

There is no doubt to say that entire Balochistan is neglected by our leaders, politicians and the government in every respect resulting the destruction of education sector, ever increasing poverty, poor healthcare facilities, high rate of suicide cases, inflation etc.

More importantly, during last seventy five years (From 1947 to 2023), a basic need of Balochistan is missing in the province i.e. the Cancer Hospitals which is impacting the citizens of Balochistan.

In Balochistan poverty exists harshly for the people where in some areas people cannot get two times food to eat and if they do not have two times food, how can they go to Karachi for their treatment?

This question honestly has no answer. In hospitals of Karachi, the charges for treatment of cancer patients are not affordable for poor families so the people of Balochistan cannot get early treatment and owing to that they have fewer chances of survival.

Most of the patients are women with breast cancer

Further, cancer is more prevalent and at dangerous level in areas having no facilities to even diagnose. Among other risk factors, the causes of cancer may be chewable tobacco, cigarettes, and alcohol, as such items are easily available in markets for all ages.

According to the reports, there were 10,924 cancer patients in Quetta from 1998 to 2009 while from 2014 to 2017 10, 000 cases were pointed out in the same city, the bulk of them were women with breast cancer.

We always see on social and electronic media where multiple families are seeking donations for the sake of God but unluckily, the people here cannot attract the attention of the media because they are living in a backward province where deprivation is a common factor.

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan had promised to provide a cancer hospital for Balochistan during his visit to Quetta. The people of Balochistan were hoping that the ex-prime minister was going to provide a cancer hospital but all hopes went in vain.

All the successive government of Pakistan have treated Balochistan wrongly. Despite being an extraordinary lucrative tool for the economy of the entire country, they do not love the people of Balochistan. They merely love the resources of this province to make themselves healthy ignoring the people of Balochistan.

The federal and provincial governments must take urgent steps to initiate a well-functioning hospital in Balochistan as soon as possible for the treatment of cancer patients.

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The writer is a Turbat-based journalist.

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