Screening suggested for women above 40 to avoid breast cancer.

ISLAMABAD -- All women above 40 years of age need yearly screening mammography, which is essential to eradicating the breast cancer disease through early detection.

This was stated by Focal Person for National Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Dr Ayesha Isani Majeed while speaking at an awareness session at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on Wednesday.

The event was held in connection with the breast cancer month, which is being observed every year in October.

A large number of people, also including doctors and nurses, participated in the session regarding breast cancer.

The participants also held a walk in which Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza was prominent.

Awareness session, walk held in Pims

Briefing the participants about the 'Federal Breast Cancer Screening Centre' located in Pims, Dr Ayesha Isani said that free screening and diagnostic mammography and ultrasound services regarding breast issues were provided at Pims.

She said that a total of 12,000 patients had visited the centre in the past three years and a total of 5,000 mammograms and 6,000 ultrasounds had been conducted during this period. She said that a total of 1,000 patients underwent biopsies of which 600 patients were diagnosed with breast cancer.

About the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, she mentioned a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts, a lump or swelling in either of armpits, dimples on the skin of breasts, etc.

Dr Ayesha Isani enumerated the risk factors as genetic, obesity, lack of physical exercise...