"For Pakistani women, who play a crucial role in their families and in the society, the necessity of having good health cannot be highlighted enough."

Life versus propriety

Asna AliSaturday, October 19, 2013 

"Increasing awareness about breast cancer and speaking openly about it to loved ones as well as at public forums is a necessary first step to develop a better situation for those dealing with this debilitating disease. There is a need to understand various lifestyle as well as genetic factors which contribute to increased risk for cancer.

The importance of getting good nutrition and plenty of exercise to avoid excessive weight gain especially as women get older should be understood. One of the reasons why the US has the largest incidence of breast cancer in the world is rampant obesity in the country.

The myths surrounding breast cancer must also be dispelled. It is sometimes supposed that only those who have a family history have to take serious preventative measures or get tested. The reality, however, is that most women who contract the disease do not have any previous occurrence of breast cancer in their family. As specialists point out, just being a woman and of a certain age puts one at a certain level of risk for it.

For Pakistani women, who play a crucial role in their families and in the society, the necessity of having good health cannot be highlighted enough. It might be a natural reaction in difficult circumstances to put one’s own problems on the back burner while dealing with more pressing concerns but it is the responsibility of every adult woman who has others relying on her to get take adequate steps to take care of her body."