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Celebration of LifeArchive for October 22, 2008
Awareness drive against breast cancer from 25th
By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: PAKISTAN has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia and it is the most common cancer in women around the world. The breast cancer continues to be the highest malignancy reported and currently being treated at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) over the years.
According to a press release here on Monday, it was noted that the causes of breast cancer are not yet known with certainty and research into this continues. Nevertheless, studies have shown that early detection of breast cancer can result in a survival rate of over 90 per cent.
The SKMCH&RC spokesman said that the hospital remains dedicated to raise awareness about breast cancer and how early detection can help save our life and the lives of the women by launching its breast cancer awareness campaign on October 25, at the hospital. Faryal Gohar will be the chief guest on this occasion while several women from colleges and different walks of life are also participating in this function specially organised by the hospital.
In line with the commitment towards the welfare of women, Atiqa Odho has come forth to help SKMCH&RC in the fight against breast cancer in Pakistan. She along with her mother and daughter has lent themselves as the breast cancer campaign ambassadors of SKMCH&RC this year.
Furthermore, Odho Productions has produced a long play ‘Chalo Phir Say Gee Lain’ starring Atiqa Odho as the breast cancer patient being treated at SKMCH&RC along with Humayun Saeed playing the role of her husband. The play has been directed by Sarmad Khoosat.
‘Carbonated soft drinks, junk food cause osteoporosis at an early age’
Irfan Aligi
KARACHI: Dow University of Health Sciences Prof. of Anatomy and research scholar on osteoporosis Dr Amanullah Mangi told Daily Times in an exclusive interview that osteoporosis is a disease that should be treated with food, not drugs.
The youth of Pakistan from age groups of 15 to 25 are at the brink of ruin and they are at a risk of many health problems especially osteoporosis after the age of 35 because of an unhealthy diet consisting mostly of carbonated soft drinks and fast food “I can say on the basis of my research that carbonated beverages and fast food destroy bones. I have data on side effects of cold drinks and fast food, which I collected after a study on a group of 10 boys from the age group of 18 to 25, who drank carbonated drinks and ate burgers,” claimed Mangi. The BMD results were below the normal limit in all volunteers.
The use of carbonated drinks and fast food makes the bones fragile. I strongly recommend that the fast food and soft drink culture should be eliminated from our society so that we can save our youth, added Mangi.
Efforts for the creation of awareness about osteoporosis can only be successful if common and easy-to-understand terminology is used, said Mangi. It is in line of directives of the World Health Organization (WHO) that doctors should treat the root causes of the diseases rather than focusing on the symptoms. Those who treat the symptoms are quacks, commented Mangi.
It is pertinent to mention that World Osteoporosis Day is celebrated on October 20 across the globe every year. This day serves as a focal point for the international community to inform and educate the public and policy makers about the importance of osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Osteoporosis affects around one in three women and one in five men around the world. Pakistan has a high prevalence of osteoporosis, with 97 percent of women, aged 75 to 84 years, and 55 percent of women aged 45 to 54 years suffering from it.
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