22/09/2023
PAKISTAN’S SILENT EPIDEMIC: THE ESCALATION OF BREAST CANCER CASES
Breast cancer has become a widely recognized term, particularly in contemporary times, affecting approximately one in every nine women. Annually, a staggering one million women receive a breast cancer diagnosis. Recent surveys indicate a concerning 19.33% rise in breast cancer cases within Pakistan. The primary contributor to this surge is a lack of awareness. In Pakistan, there exists a cultural perception of breasts as a private matter, deterring public discourse on the subject.There are multiple factors that contribute to the onset of this disease.
CONSANGUINITY :
Breast cancers often have a genetic hereditary basis, capable of being passed down through generations. For instance, if a young woman develops breast cancer, it could have been inherited from her grandparents, illustrating the role of family history in this type of cancer.
ORAL CONTRACEPTION:
Oral contraceptive pills were introduced in the early 1960s. Research suggests that while birth control pills do not have a direct link to the onset of breast cancer, they do disrupt hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, subsequently resulting in weight gain, a factor associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. An experiment conducted by David B. Thomas demonstrated that these pills elevate the risk by up to 1.52%.
SKINCARE PRODUCTS:
Skincare has gained significant traction in recent times, with women actively pursuing the enhancement of their beauty. They seek to attain the best versions of themselves by utilising various products containing active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol etc. However, the makeup industry conceals a significant truth from consumers. Their products often conceal carcinogenic elements like parabens, formaldehyde, benzene, coal tar, phthalates, PEGs, and more. Our skin functions akin to a sponge, absorbing the substances we apply to it. The accumulation of these cancer-causing agents, especially in substantial quantities, poses a risk of various types of cancer. It is advisable to refrain from using creams with high chemical content.
HARMFUL CHEMICALS IN OUR ENVIRONMENT:
As our industry is expanding quickly, it brings both advantages and disadvantages.Every day, we come into contact with harmful chemicals, often unaware of the harm they may cause to our bodies. It is not necessary that a carcinogen will develop cancer, but depends on the extent and duration of exposure, alongside a person's genes. Carcinogens include benzene, toluene, derivatives of parabens, asbestos, radon which are found in furniture, skincare, dry shampoos, alcohol, hair dyes, conditioners, pigmented blushes and eyeshadows etc.
LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BREAST CANCER:
There's a misconception that breast cancer can spread from person to person through contact, which is entirely false. Breast cancer is not a communicable disease and cannot be transmitted through personal interaction. Unfortunately, due to cultural factors and the perception of breasts as private organs, many women conceal breast lumps until they become a serious concern. This issue is especially prevalent in rural areas, where women may hesitate to seek breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Factors such as shyness, cultural norms, and the presence of male doctors deter them from seeking help. Moreover, the lack of advanced medical equipment and infrastructure in Pakistan, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas, further compounds the problem. Even if advanced facilities exist in larger hospitals, they are often financially out of reach for middle-class individuals, highlighting a significant barrier to proper breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
To summarize, breast cancer is on the rise in Pakistan. It is crucial to implement preventive measures, such as raising awareness through workshops, especially in rural regions. The government should play an active role by making affordable and easily accessible healthcare facilities available. Encouraging regular check-ups and establishing a national cancer registry database to track cancer prevalence, survival rates, and related parameters is essential. Making mammography free of cost for early cancer detection, educating women about breast self-examination, and ensuring that treatments are either free or affordable are critical steps toward combating breast cancer effectively.