Every year, ninety thousand women in Pakistan suffer from breast cancer, a deadly and life-threatening disease. This is the reason why this disease is working like a silent killer in Pakistani society and claiming thousands of lives every year.
Due to the seriousness of this disease and the lack of proper awareness, health experts have designated October as a special breast cancer awareness month. And guidance is provided. MM News has also discussed the seriousness of breast cancer with Ms. Dr. Rufina Soomro, Head of the General Surgery Department of Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi. The details of the talk are shared below.
MM News: Breast cancer is emerging as a big threat in Pakistan, and the cases are increasing, do you think that lack of awareness in this regard is the main reason?
Dr. Rufina Soomro: Yes, this is an important reason, the problem is that due to lack of awareness, women do not get an early diagnosis of this disease when this disease makes itself felt after solidification and reaches the next stage. Then there is a rush for treatment, some specific concepts in society are also an important obstacle in this regard. This is also one of the reasons why even if a lump is found in the breast, the doctor is not consulted just because there is no pain. Even if there is pain, it is not known whether it is cancer or something else. Even if cancer is realized, where is the problem easily solved, how expensive is the treatment of cancer, not everyone can afford it, the facilities are not common and available to everyone. Obviously, if all these things and obstacles remain, then the death rate will increase.
MM News:In your opinion, what are the special risk factors for breast cancer in Pakistan, and is it a commonly used product that is causing the deadly disease?
Dr. Rufina Soomro: Products are not a specific cause of this disease, but there are risk factors, some of which cannot be avoided, for example, being a woman is a special risk factor. Similarly, imbalance in the menstrual cycle is also a natural risk factor, it is not in anyone’s hands to avoid it. Even if someone has this disease in their family, it is a risk factor that cannot be avoided, because it is not in our hands to change family or change gender. Apart from this, there are some risk factors that we can avoid, For example, if the first pregnancy is delayed after the marriage it increases risk of the disease. Mothers should exclusively feed their infants for two years, this can reduce the risk of this disease. besity is also a risk factor that can be avoided to reduce the risk of this disease. Similarly, the risk of breast cancer can be removed by exercising and avoiding junk food.
MM News: How the threat of breast cancer can be avoided?
Dr Rufina Soomro: To reduce the risk of breast cancer, women should eat a healthy and balanced diet, walk, at least four hours a week, and eat fruits and salads. Similarly, the risk of this disease can be reduced by not using alcohol, tobacco, etc. However, no product causes or reduces the risk of breast cancer.
MM News: Dr. By the way, every woman should keep getting her check-up done, but if someone is not having check-up, then what kind of symptoms can there be in such a case?
Dr. Rufina Soomro: Every woman should continue her medical examination as soon as she becomes conscious and should keep a close eye on the changes in her body composition. Ninety percent of warts are harmless. Some people are so sensitive that if even a small lump raises its head, they immediately get worried and go to the doctor. We forbid many such patients and tell them that it is not a sign of cancer, while some do not even know. Cancer continues to grow in their body. Now the question is what are the common symptoms that you need to be concerned about after it appears? Similarly, there is a need to worry if the skin is sinking in. The nipple should be inward. Swelling of the skin. One breast size may look different from the other. Bleeding from the nipple. The glands in the armpit are visible. A doctor should be consulted when these symptoms appear. I am not saying that these symptoms are cancer, the point is that only a doctor can give you satisfaction as to whether it is cancer or not.
MM News: Doctor, please tell us that if breast cancer is diagnosed then what is the treatment after that, is surgery necessary?
Dr. Rufina Soomro: See, for diagnosis, first we need a doctor’s examination, then an X-ray which is a mammogram, and the third important thing is a biopsy. A biopsy is very important, no one should be diagnosed with cancer in this day and age without a biopsy. Biopsy not only tells us what stage the cancer is but also what drugs can be used to treat it. After diagnosis in a biopsy, we find that the cancer is limited to the breast or has spread to other parts of the breast.
MM News: To what extent is reconstruction possible in this disease, if a lady gets this disease and then is cured by treatment, how much better can she live the rest of her life?
Dr. Rufina Soomro: Breast reconstruction can also be done if breast removal is required. In this, we support the nerves of the back with an artificial implant. The nipple can also be reconstructed through plastic surgery. After surgery, a woman can lead a completely normal life. See Chemotherapy hair loss, which is a big deal for a woman, but it doesn’t go away forever, as soon as the chemotherapy is done, the hairs grow back. But sometimes the hairs are even better than before.
MM News: Since women are more dependent on men in our society, do you think men need to be aware of this disease, that they should take special care of their sisters, daughters, and wives in this regard?
Dr. Rufina Soomro: You are absolutely right. This is very important and also important because what happens, in this disease is that the woman first hesitates to tell a female member of the family, then the woman refrains from telling a male member of the family. You are absolutely right that we women are mail-dependent. I have seen in my career that a woman whose male family members are supportive fathers, brothers and husbands who are supportive, not only brings their patient on time but such affected woman also faces her problems with confidence. The journey of treatment for this disease becomes very difficult for a woman who does not get supportive male family members, so it is as important to inform men about this disease.
