'Pakistan okays National Breast Cancer Screening Programmes'

She said, however, cervical cancer, which is preventable requires due attention. The cervical screening programme aims for early detection of pre cancer lesions, mostly caused by papilloma virus infection and to provide treatment with an appropriate care before the lesion advances to cancer 10 to 20 years later. For several decades cytology based pop smear programme has successfully diminished incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer in developed countries. In some areas visual inspection of cervix with acetic acid (VIA) is one of the most promising alternatives with equal efficacy. It is much less costly, requiring only vinegar and eye of a trained health care provider. The Government of cognizant of the need for improved care for women’s health including prevention/early detection of women’s cancers. National Breast Cancer Screening Programe is a testament of the government commitment to women’s health programmes and cancer prevention activates.

Breast is the most common cancer amongst women and is the second most common cancer all over and the 5th most common cause of cancer deaths, said Dr Rakhshanda Rasheed, Associate Prof of General Surgery Department of PIMS, Islamabad.

She further said the modifiable risk factors are post menopausal obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical inactivity, high dose radiation to the breast.

 and non modifiable risk factors are age, family history, early menarche, late menopause, obesity and previous history disease. Dr. Rakhshanda highlighted that the diagnosis of the breast cancer is based on history and physical examination, ultra sonography, mammography and biopsy.