Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer in the world as 1 out of 9 female in the country is at risk of the disease and it kills 40,000 women every year.

Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer in the world as 1 out of 9 female in the country is at risk of the disease and it kills 40,000 women every year.It was echoed at an awareness walk and seminar held on breast cancer arranged by Office of Senior Tutor, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, in collaboration with Institute of Rural Home Economics, UAF and Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital . Addressing on the occasion, UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said: "breast cancer is the most common cancer as it kills nearly 40,000 women every year and its rates are getting worse. He was of the view "Women in the developing countries, like Pakistan tend to die at greater rates compared to developed countries due to the detection of disease at its advance stages". He said in our society, women avoid to go to the hospital for screenings and checkup or discuss the cancer even within their family. He said the steps are need to end the taboo from the society Renowned Singer and Pink Ribbon Ambassador Hadiqa Kiyani said the illiteracy, social taboos and the myths are the great hindrance in early detection, which impedes diagnosis and treatment. She said better education/awareness of the disease and a healthy diet comprising fresh vegetables and fruits can help reduce risk of breast cancer. She stressed upon the participants to self examine and arrange a checkup every year to avoid the risk. She said women hesitance to discuss the disease is one of cause for the high number of breast cancer patients in the country. Dean Faculty of Food Sciences Prof Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said that if cancer was detected at early stages, chances of survival increases manifold. He said that young women are more frequently reporting with the cancer in Pakistan. He said that balanced diet help reduce the risk of breast cancer. He said that the breast cancer is becoming the leading cause of cancer deaths. UAF Senior Tutor Prof Dr Ather Javed said literacy, education and information can play a vital role in decreasing the outbreak of decrease. He called for giving special attention to the issue to control its spread in the country. He stressed upon the need to make the proper check-up for prevention and the early treatment of the disease. Director Institute of Rural Home Economics Dr Naheed Abbas said that prevalence of breast cancer is the maximum among the all the cancer in Pakistan of 38 percent. She said that the women who eat the higher levels of the saturated fats have the double the risk of breast cancer compared to those eating the least. Dr Rubina Tabassum and Rafshan Sadiq from PINUM Cancer Hospital also spoke on the occasion