Community-Based health education need of the hour: Samina Arif

Says Cancer can be cured by timely diagnosis, treatment and attention

Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: “Breast cancer is not an incurable disease, with timely diagnosis, treatment and attention this disease can be defeated”, said the First Lady, Begum Samina Arif Alvi while addressing a Breast Cancer Awareness Seminar held at Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad.
She said the rate of breast cancer increases every year to an alarming extent and the main reason is that there is no awareness among people about this disease. She further said that in our daily routine we ignore health, health care along with work is very important. My message for all is to visit the doctor once a month for a check-up”, said the First Lady.
Begum Samina Arif Alvi said that there is a need to organize community-based health education, seminars and conferences at the national level, especially in remote areas, for awareness and prevention of diseases.
The seminar was jointly organized by the Department of Environmental Design, Health and Nutrition Sciences and the Department of Gender and Women Studies of AIOU. Dean Faculty of Science, Professor Dr. Irshad Ahmed Arshad presided over the seminar, while Head, Department of Radiology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Dr. Ayesha Asaani, was the guest speaker. Dr. Hajra Ahmed, chairperson of the Department of Environmental Design, Health and Nutrition Sciences, explained the aims and objectives of the seminar.
Dr. Ayesha Asaani, talking about the diagnosis and prevention of breast cancer, said that breast cancer is the main cause of death of women in the world and one out of every 9 women in Pakistan is suffering from this disease. Emergency measures are indispensable for the prevention of breast cancer. Dr. Ayesha said that everyone should check themselves every month, if any kind of lump, gland or difference is felt in the breast, then immediately visit a doctor.
Dr. Irshad Ahmad Arshad said that as a national university, Allama Iqbal Open University will play an exemplary role in this national breast cancer awareness campaign. He said that under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum, the university is regularly organizing seminars and conferences to identify social problems and solve them.