Speakers at the University of Sindh have said that breast cancer remains the most common form of cancer among women in Pakistan, with an alarming statistic that one in every nine women is at risk during her lifetime.

They noted that nearly 90,000 new cases are reported annually, while approximately 40,000 women lose their lives to the disease, figures that underline the urgent need for awareness, early detection, and timely treatment.

This they said while addressing a breast cancer awareness program titled “Raise for hope, for survival, for strength, and for the promise of a cure,” organized by the Institute of Gender Studies (IGS), University of Sindh, Jamshoro. The event aimed to highlight the significance of preventive healthcare, early diagnosis and public education in reducing breast cancer mortality rates in Pakistan.

In his presidential address, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Sindh University Main Campus, Prof. Dr. Abdul Sattar Shah said that public universities had a key role in promoting health awareness and fostering research on diseases affecting women.

He said that breast cancer was not just a medical issue; it was a social challenge that demanded collective responsibility from communities, healthcare institutions and policymakers.

“Early screening and timely intervention can save countless lives,” he said and commended the Institute of Gender Studies for organizing an event that combined academic discussion with public health advocacy.

Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Nanik Ram lauded the efforts of the organizers and said that awareness campaigns must reach rural and underserved areas, where myths and social taboos still prevent women from seeking timely medical help.

“Breaking silence and stigma is the first step toward saving lives,” he stated, urging for gender-sensitive health policies and regular screening programs at community levels.

Director, Institute of Gender Studies Dr. Ameer Ali Buriro shared alarming data on breast cancer prevalence in Pakistan.

“Breast cancer remains the most common type of cancer among women in our country, with one in nine women at risk during their lifetime”, he said and added that each year, nearly 90,000 new cases were diagnosed and approximately 40,000 women died from the disease.

He attributed the high fatality rate to lack of awareness, delayed diagnosis, inadequate healthcare infrastructure and socio-cultural barriers.

He stressed that Pakistan had the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia, calling for stronger awareness drives and community-level health interventions.

Dr. Kanwal Feroz highlighted the importance of early screening and the role of family support in timely treatment. She said that fear and social stigma often discourage women from seeking help, which must be overcome through education and empathy.

Dr. Huriya Khan emphasized the significance of preventive healthcare, stating, “Prevention is always better than cure. Regular self-examination, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and routine medical check-ups are crucial in reducing the risk of breast cancer,” she said.

She urged young women to become advocates of health awareness within their families and communities.

Head of the Department of Pharmacy at the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology Dr. Sana Hasan Shah discussed her institution’s outreach initiatives aimed at promoting health literacy across Sindh.

She said, “Our institute is working to bridge the gap between awareness and action by conducting community education sessions and free screening programs. Collaboration between universities and health institutes is essential to achieve long-term results.”

The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by faculty member Nasir Narejo and the session was compered by faculty member Mr. Junaid Razzaque Soomro.

Earlier, the event commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran by a student of the Institute of Gender Studies.