Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer in Asia Pacific as 1 out of 9 female in the country is at risk of the disease, killing 40,000 women every year.

Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer in Asia Pacific as 1 out of 9 female in the country is at risk of the disease, killing 40,000 women every year. It was echoed at an awareness seminar on breast cancer arranged by Institute of Rural Home Economics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. 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. She 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 helps reduce risk of breast cancer. She urged the women to make the proper check-up for prevention and the early treatment of the disease. She said literacy, education and information can play a vital role in decreasing the outbreak of decrease. Dr Sarwat Saqib from Aziz Fatima Hospital said that women hesitance to discuss the disease is one of cause for the high number of breast cancer patients in the country. She said that if cancer was detected at early stages, chances of survival increases manifold. She also said that young women are more frequently reporting with the cancer in Pakistan. Dr Binish Asad said that balanced diet help reduce the risk of breast cancer. She said that the breast cancer is becoming the leading cause of cancer deaths. She said that the women who eat more fruit have the risk of the breast cancer. Hira Iftikkhar also spoke on the occasion.