15000 breast cancer patients registered every year in KP

Wisal Yousafzai

PESHAWAR: According to World Health Organization (WHO) one in 8 women develop breast cancer across the Globe while in Pakistan every year around 100,000 new cases of breast cancer were registered in which 15,000 cases were registered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This was share in an inauguration ceremony of the first ever “One Stop Breast Care Unit” at Rehman Medical Institute (RMI) here on Wednesday.

Assistant Professor  & Consultant Oncologist & Reconstructive Breast & General Surgeon Dr. Amjad Ali said that the concept of “one-stop Breast Care Unit” where a patient is received, screened, diagnosed, operated upon and reconstruction performed in a one unit

He further added Breast Cancer patients usually suffer in seeking treatment as different phases of the treatment are located in different locations. A patient usually has to get Mammography done from one place, ultra sound from another and diagnosis from another. RMIs Breast Care Unit offers all of these services and more (such as reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries) within the same department.

Dr. Amjad Ali  added that the management protocols are all according to International guidelines and RMI will offer the same global standards for treatment and the same surgical procedures to our patients as are offered to patients who choose to have their treatment abroad.

CEO of RMI Mr. Shafique-ur-Rehman announced free of cost Mammography in Breast Care Unit for one month. He further added that RMI is committed to continuously improving the range of healthcare facilities and quality of services that we provide to our patients.

He added that stress was exerted on the need of annual screening for women who are aged 40 years and above as they are more susceptible to develop this fatal disease. Annual screening helps detects any developing tumor on time and significantly increases the chances of successful and on-time treatment.

The chief guest, Mr. Shahram Khan Tarakai gave an invigorating speech where he stressed the importance of such units and also lauded RMIs efforts to be a pioneering private sector institute which tries to provide a diverse and quality based treatment to the masses.

He also made a major announcement on the occasion by allotting a sum within the existing Sehat Card holders for Breast Cancer patients which will be in addition to the treatment amount which already is present in the Sehat Card. This announcement was received by the audience with a major roar of delight.