Introduction

As the name suggests, breast cancer is the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the breast tissues. It is now unfortunately a very common disease all around the globe. This cancer can occur in both men and women, however, the rate is significantly higher in women. Owing to various factors including age, BMI (body-mass index), marital status, breastfeeding, menopausal status, smoking, and contraceptive intake, Pakistan tops the list in the prevalence of breast cancer in Asia. The susceptibility is so high in Pakistan that one out of every eight women is at risk of being diagnosed with the disease.

This alarming rate has to be controlled and the best way to do so is to create awareness. Awareness campaigns not only help in the prevention of breast cancer but also aid in its early detection which ensures successful treatment. Since there are many taboos attached to sexual well-being and the health related problems of women, both men and women shy away from any such topics. For the longest time, the word “Chaati” (Breast) was banned on the national television and government platforms which kept the masses unknown of the condition leading to the bulk amounts of undiagnosed cases in Pakistan. For the past few years, there had been dialogue around the disease. However, much more effort is required. 

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Sehat Kahani Breast Cancer Awareness Journey

Sehat Kahani, having its mission to democratize healthcare for all, always takes an active part in spreading awareness about various diseases. Ranging from something as simple as flu to some life-threatening diseases as cancers, Sehat Kahani plays its part in enlightening the masses. Being a female lead organization, Sehat Kahani feels obliged to go the extra mile every October to make the masses well aware of breast cancer diagnosis, symptoms, treatment options, etc.

Every October, Sehat Kahani makes use of its social media to create awareness among the masses about breast cancer. Various sessions are also conducted by the experts of Sehat Kahani to make our viewers, corporate partners, and employees well aware of the disease. The main focus of these sessions is to tell people about the significance of early diagnosis, the commonness of breast cancer in Pakistan, self-examination techniques, and the causative agents of cancer that are to be avoided.

Along with that, Sehat Kahani also organizes awareness events about breast cancer under the title “I CAN-CER-VIVE”. Having the primary aim to aware the attendees about breast cancer, these events also highlight the success stories of the survivors to motivate the current warriors of cancer and to eliminate the concept that getting cancer can only end in death. 

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Planning of “I CAN-CER-VIVE” event

Last year’s I CAN-CER-VIVE event was organized at the British High Commission. But this year, to break our records, we aimed for the president’s house. The event, under the same title, I CAN-CER-VIVE was hosted at the presidency on the 1st of December, 2022, and was chaired by the Honorable first lady of Pakistan, Begum Samina Alvi. 

For such a high-profile event, there is a lot that goes into the planning. Juggling the content, designing, printing, and investors all at once was not an easy task. Everything from the backdrops, standees, presentations, speeches, shields, invites, etc. was made to perfection. There were hundreds of approvals required for the organizers as well as for the guests since the event was to be at the Presidency. Since the presidency is in Islamabad so commute and stay were arranged as well.

Highlights of the event 

The main aim of this I CAN-CER-VIVE event was to spread awareness about breast cancer and to put forward the faces of the brave survivors of breast cancer to highlight their struggles and to motivate the current warriors. The event was chaired by the Honorable First Lady of Pakistan, Begum Samina Arif Alvi.

After the usual rituals at the start of the event, expert oncologist Dr. Naila Anjum Zahid presented a detailed presentation to the attendees about breast cancer, its symptoms, diagnosis, self-examination, and treatment. The presentation highlighted the survival rate of breast cancer patients in Pakistan.

Following that, our CEO, Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram addressed the attendees as well. She highlighted the role of Sehat Kahani against breast cancer by saying:

“Being a female-led and female-owned organization, Sehat Kahani aims to provide the circle of care for women facing breast cancer. The survivors we are honoring today are the beacons of resilience from whom we can all take motivation. Our National Breast Cancer Patient Support Program will strengthen our resolve in completing the circle of care for our fellow warriors.”

Sehat Kahani at this event pledged to provide at least 3 free of cost online consultations via its application to any female in Pakistan who needs to access a doctor for her symptoms. Sehat Kahani and Jubilee life partnered together to provide unlimited online consultations to Jubilee’s Cancer Protection Program holders. Additionally, to complete the circle of care, Sehat Kahani is also creating a National Breast Cancer Patient Support Program which will offer peer-to-peer support, counseling, and mental health help to cancer patients. These support programs will commence in January 2023.

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Later, Jubilee Life Insurance’s Farhan Akhtar Faridi addressed the guests. In his speech mentioned the financial support programs launched for breast cancer patients that aimed at easing the burden of the heavy treatment costs. He demonstrated that Jubilee Life Insurance offers ‘Cancer Protection Plan’, a comprehensive plan which helps in covering the medical expenses of cancer treatment at an affordable cost so that the patients can ensure sound and complete treatment. The holders of Jubliee’s Cancer Protection Plan are also entitled to free online oncology consultations 24/7.

Following that, the two brave breast cancer survivors, Shireen Gaiba and Amna Butt shared with the audience their journey of recovering from the disease. After their speeches, the rest of the breast cancer survivors were honored with shields for their bravery and courage in fighting the disease and being a part of this event.

The event was concluded with the speech of our chief guest, the First Lady of Pakistan, Begum Samina Alvi. Begum Alvi highlighted the attempts that were made for breast cancer awareness at the Presidency in the last four years. She showed her gratefulness that these attempts had been successful in somewhat removing the taboos surrounding public discussions about breast cancer. She also praised the role Sehat Kahani is playing in democratizing healthcare in Pakistan, especially in rural areas. She appreciated Sehat Kahani for launching a cancer protection program in collaboration with Jubilee Life insurance to ease the financial burden of cancer patients. Begum Alvi expressed satisfaction over the holding of regular awareness sessions about breast cancer in the country and mentioned the role of the media in educating the masses.

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Impact this session made

Like any other awareness session, this session also worked to improve the knowledge of people about the disease. It was also helpful in educating people about the key symptoms of breast cancer and the ways women can perform self-examinations. Along with the obvious perks, the most significant part of this session was the launch of cancer protection plans and the announcements of free consultations for women with symptoms. People often tend to ignore their symptoms due to two main reasons, unaffordability and unavailability. Free online consultations offered by Sehat Kahani are going to fix both of these problems. Since online consultations can be taken from anywhere and connect you immediately to a doctor without having to travel or wait, people can access immediate care which will decrease their odds of ignoring their symptoms. A cancer protection plan will also decrease the financial burden of cancer treatment on the patients which will also ensure early treatment and will help in lowering the number of deaths caused by this deadly disease.

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