Breast Cancer Awareness at PIMS: Over 90 New Cases Diagnosed Monthly
Every month, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) diagnoses 90 to 100 new breast cancer patients, revealed Dr. Erum Najeeb, assistant professor and consultant breast surgeon at PIMS, during a breast cancer awareness session at the hospital.
Dr. Najeeb emphasized that breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Pakistan. “Annually, nearly 90,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and around 40,000 women succumb to the disease. What is more alarming is that many patients in Pakistan are younger and often present at more advanced stages of the illness,” she stated.
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As the chief organizer of Pink Fest 2024, Dr. Najeeb pointed out significant progress in the last decade at tertiary care hospitals in Islamabad, including PIMS, where state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities have been introduced with government support. “Specialty-trained, foreign-qualified professionals have been recruited. With these advancements and extensive awareness campaigns, there has been a gradual shift toward diagnosing breast cancer at earlier stages. This enables patients to avoid disfiguring surgeries and benefit from less invasive treatments. PIMS handles over 1,500 cases of breast-related issues monthly in its Surgical OPD,” she added.
A recent report shows that over 60% of women in Pakistan now receive diagnostic and treatment services within timelines that meet international standards, with this percentage expected to increase further as a dedicated cancer hospital is currently being developed at PIMS.
The event, 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.
Breast cancer survivors and patients shared their personal stories during the session, providing a platform for empowerment, healing, and hope.
