Islamabad: First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari has called for unified action to combat the breast cancer crisis in Pakistan, emphasizing the urgent need to improve access to healthcare for women in rural regions. During a meeting with Omer Aftab, Founder and Honorary CEO of Pink Ribbon Pakistan, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, she highlighted the alarming statistic that one in nine Pakistani women faces the risk of breast cancer, the most prevalent form of the disease among women in the country and across Asia.

Ms. Bhutto Zardari warned that late diagnosis leads to thousands of preventable deaths each year. She stressed that early detection is crucial, noting that survival rates can surpass 90 percent with timely diagnosis and intervention. The First Lady asserted that all women, irrespective of their location, should have access to prompt screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

Emphasizing the importance of women’s well-being as a national concern, Ms. Bhutto Zardari advocated for focused initiatives on prevention, early detection, and treatment. She called for increased access to breast cancer facilities in underserved rural communities and emphasized the need to dismantle cultural barriers that hinder timely medical consultations. She proposed expanding the use of mobile mammography units, community outreach programs, and engaging male family members to combat stigma.

The First Lady urged all stakeholders, including the media, educators, and religious leaders, to launch a national awareness campaign. This campaign should encourage early detection and prompt medical intervention. She praised Pink Ribbon Pakistan for its awareness and screening programs, specifically acknowledging their efforts to establish Pakistan’s first specialized Breast Cancer Hospital.