A Life Worth Living

Sheryl Crow (diagnosed 2006 at 44)

I am a walking advertisement for early detection, Sheryl Crow said in October 2006 about catching suspicious calcifications in both of her breasts on a routine mammogram. She was able to skip chemotherapy because her cancer was caught so early. In March 2007, Crow (who has no close family history of breast cancer) petitioned Congress to fund research into possible links between breast cancer and environmental factors.

Kylie Minogue (diagnosed 2005 at 36)

A misdiagnosis almost lost Australian pop star Kylie Minogue her chance to fightand defeatbreast cancer. It wasnt until she decided to go in for a second round of tests that doctors found the lump in her left breast. A partial mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation followed.

Cynthia Nixon (diagnosed 2006 at 40)

At first, Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon was hesitant to reveal that a cancerous tumor had been discovered in her right breast during a routine mammogram. Nixon, best known for playing the responsible Miranda Hobbes, didn't want her condition to become public during her treatment. But Nixon, whose mother also survived breast cancer, decided to tell her story when she realized it might serve as an inspiration for other women at risk.

Pink October
October is internationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness month. In this month breast cancer is recognized by survivors, family and friends along with victims. Pink ribbon is worn by all to show solidarity against the disease and to honor survivors and remember those who lost their lives to this disease.

Situation in Pakistan
Pakistan has the highest rate of BC among all the Asian countries 1 out of 9 women in Pakistan are likely to suffer from BC (India: 1 in 22) BC is 38.5% of all female cancers Approximately 90,000 cases are diagnosed every year Advanced BC accounts for 43.7% of cases; over 40,000 deaths per year in Pakistan. The incidence is increasing in young girls in Pakistan also With early detection, a patients chance of surviving is higher than 90%

Inherent Challenges
Overall female literacy rate is 35%, whereas 77% of the females have not completed higher secondary school Cultural beliefs and taboos have made Breast cancer a very sensitive issue and women generally shy away from talking about it Myths and misconceptions substantially hinder early diagnosis and treatment Medias refusal to air any news or programs on this topic

Inherent Challenges-2
Total spending in health sector is 0.57% of GDP (4.7% in South Asian
Region) Poor access to healthcare, lack of medical facilities and infrastructure Dismally low availability of human resource in health sector 1,254 people per doctor, 2,671 per nurse, 6,235 per midwife and 18,318 per Lady Health Visitor Absence of a Cancer Registry for official data collection and analysis Lack of National Cancer Prevention Program to develop, implement and promote effective cancer prevention and control practices

Surprise findings
63% of women think family history is the biggest breast cancer risk factor. .. The vast majority of women with breast cancer have no family history. 40% of women say breast cancer is the cancer they worry about most ..Breast cancer is very treatable when caught early. 39% of women say the most important way to catch breast cancer early is by doing a formal monthly breast self-exam (BSE). In other words, they think it is more crucial than mammogramsMammograms are most important, 73% of docs say. 4% of women say weight has the "biggest effect" on breast cancer risk.Being heavy increases your risk a whole lot by as much as 40%. Research has also shown that breast feeding could reduce the chances of breast cancer so women should be encouraged to feed their children continuously.

Detecting Breast Cancer

With Early detectionthe chances of Surviving Breast Cancer are more than 90%. Early detection could be done by:

Breast Self Examination Clinical Examination Mammogram

Recently another blood test has been discovered that could provide more accurate information in comparison to X-rays and mammography but it has yet to come in market.

October 25th is the international day for mammogram. Pink Ribbon campaign is running a National Breast cancer screening program through partner hospitals where free screening is provided to the under privileged women across Pakistan. Free medical advice and medical examination is also provided.

Fund Raising
Pink Ribbon Clock-Rs.500 Pink Ribbon Stamp AlbumRs.1000 Pink Ribbon Metal Pin-Rs.50 Pink Ribbon Wrist Band-s.100 White Ribbon Mug-Rs.300 White Ribbon Tie-Rs.500 Donation Book-Rs.1000(each slip for Rs.20)

Start Thinking today