Active lifestyle reduces risk of cancer:Dr Esha Saqib

Lahore: Active lifestyle and ideal weight to height ratio through regular exercise and balanced diet reduce the risk of cancer, said experts while addressing an awareness seminar on Prevention against Breast Cancer at the Government College University Lahore. The seminar was jointly organised by GCU’s Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) and Shuakat Khanum Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC).

Speaking on the occasion, SKMCH Medical Officer Dr Esha Saqib advised the female students to maintain a balanced diet full of antioxidants. She said that timely childbearing and breastfeeding also reduced the risks of breast cancer. She said that the exact cause of breast cancer was yet to be discovered by the medical science. “However, there are factors which usually increased or decreased risks of cancer,” she added. She said that smoking, alcohol and hormone replacement therapies multiplied the risks of cancer.

The doctor told the students in detail methods of self-examination for breast cancer, saying that every woman after the age 20 must do her self-examination once in a month. She also briefed students about treatments available for the breast cancer. She said that the survival rate would be very high if the cancer was detected before entering into Stage III.

Addressing the students, Quality Enhancement Cell Director Ms Iram Sohail said about 1.2 million cases of breast cancer were reported worldwide every year and Pakistan had the highest incidence and mortality rate due to this disease.  She also said that the “Pink colour has been associated with Breast Cancer internationally which says, think Pink, live Green is a way of living that aims to help women reduce risk of breast cancer or disease coming back to survivors. It is also a way for women living with advanced disease to make the healthiest choice possible.”

The QEC director said cancer related communication was critical to decreasing cancer-related stigmas, raising cancer awareness and disseminating cancer education.

Later, the speakers of the seminar also met with Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah. The Vice Chancellor said it was responsibility of educational intuitions to also make their students aware about their health related issues. “We need healthy and educated women to have a healthy and educated society,” he added.

SKMCH Director Marketing Masoor Lodhi also briefed the Vice Chancellor about the achievements of SKMCH Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. He said prevention was the best cure for cancer.