Islamabad, Dec 17: Dr. Erum Najeeb, assistant professor and consultant breast surgeon at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), revealed that between 90 and 100 new breast cancer patients are diagnosed each month at the hospital during a breast cancer awareness session.
She emphasized that breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women.
Dr. Najeeb highlighted that nearly 90,000 women in Pakistan are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, with 40,000 dying from the disease. She also expressed concern that many patients are younger and often present with advanced stages of cancer.
As the chief organizer of Pink Fest 2024, Dr. Najeeb noted that there have been significant advancements in the past decade at tertiary care hospitals in Islamabad, including PIMS. These improvements include the introduction of state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic equipment with government support.
Additionally, highly trained and foreign-qualified professionals have been recruited, leading to a shift toward diagnosing cancer at earlier stages, allowing for less invasive treatments and avoiding disfiguring surgeries. PIMS now handles over 1,500 breast-related cases monthly in its Surgical OPD.
A report indicated that over 60% of women now receive diagnostic and treatment services in line with international standards, a percentage expected to rise with the ongoing development of a dedicated cancer hospital at PIMS.
The event, which was inaugurated by PIMS Executive Director Prof. Dr. Rana Imran Sikander, included a panel discussion with prominent clinicians such as Prof. Dr. Rakshanda Rashid, Prof. Dr. S.H. Waqar, Prof. Dr. Mumtaz Ahmed, Dr. Ayesha Isani, Dr. Humera Mahmood, and Dr. Ahmareen Khalid. Members of the Orthopedics Unit 2, led by Dr. Asfandyar Khan, also participated in the event. During the session, breast cancer survivors and patients shared their personal experiences, creating a platform for empowerment, healing, and hope.
