Early diagnosis of breast cancer increases chances of cure, seminar told

KARACHI: Timely mammograms can detect breast cancer earlier — potentially by an average of two years — giving women a better chance of receiving effective treatment before the disease advances, leading oncologists and survivors stressed at a Pink October awareness seminar organised by the National Forum for Environment & Health (NFEH).

Experts urged women not to delay examinations because of fear, embarrassment or misconceptions about diagnostic procedures, emphasising that early detection, prompt treatment and emotional support can make a crucial difference.

Dr Rufina Soomro, a senior oncologist, said mammography was a specialised breast X-ray that could identify abnormalities before they became clinically apparent.

She said it had no lasting adverse effects and could help diagnose cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment was generally more effective and potentially less prolonged.

Speaking as keynote speaker at the seminar, organised as part of the World Health Organisation’s global Pink October breast cancer awareness campaign, DrSoomro recommended that women aged 40 and above discuss mammography with their healthcare providers, with screening at two-year intervals where appropriate. She also emphasised regular clinical examinations and breast self-awareness.

She warned that breast cancer accounted for up to 35 per cent of all cancers among women in Pakistan, with approximately one in eight to nine women facing a lifetime risk.

DrSoomro said qualified healthcare professionals could perform physical breast examinations, while trained midwives could help expand access to preliminary screening. She stressed that a biopsy remained the most definitive way to establish a diagnosis when cancer was suspected and urged women not to fear the routine procedure.

She also cautioned that pain was not usually an early warning sign. Women should seek medical advice about unusual breast changes rather than wait for pain to develop.

Discussing prevention, DrSoomro identified smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity as factors associated with increased risk. She encouraged women to undertake around four hours of physical activity each week, maintain a balanced diet and adopt healthier lifestyles. She noted that breastfeeding was associated with reduced risk and discussed reproductive factors, including the age at which a woman has her first child.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026