Every month, 90 to 100 new breast cancer patients are diagnosed at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), revealed Dr. Erum Najeeb, assistant professor and consultant breast surgeon at PIMS, during a breast cancer awareness session held at the hospital.
Dr. Najeeb highlighted that breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women.
“Each year in Pakistan, nearly 90,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and 40,000 succumb to the disease. What’s more concerning is that patients in Pakistan are often younger and present with advanced stages of the illness,” she stated.
As the chief organizer of Pink Fest 2024, Dr. Najeeb noted significant advancements in the past decade at tertiary care hospitals in Islamabad, including PIMS, where state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic equipment has been introduced with government support.
“Specialty-trained, foreign-qualified professionals have been brought on board. Thanks to these initiatives and robust awareness campaigns, there is a gradual shift toward earlier-stage presentations. This allows patients to avoid disfiguring surgeries and receive less invasive treatments. PIMS handles over 1,500 cases of breast-related issues monthly in its Surgical OPD,” she added.
A report indicates that over 60% of women now receive diagnostic and treatment services within timelines consistent with international standards. This percentage is expected to improve with establishment of a dedicated cancer hospital currently under development at PIMS.
The event, inaugurated by PIMS Executive Director Prof. Dr. Rana Imran Sikander, featured a panel discussion with leading clinicians, including 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.
Breast cancer survivors and patients shared their personal stories during the session, offering a platform for empowerment, healing, and hope.
