Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman addressed a breast cancer symposium on Thursday, which was hosted by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) via Zoom.
Senator Sherry Rehman called for the business community to form partnerships with diagnostic laboratories to offer subsidised or free breast cancer screenings. Senator Sherry Rehman proposed a special campaign for women scheduled for October 2027. She suggested launching a pilot screening programme in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, noting the potential to expand the initiative across the country.
Senator Sherry Rehman urged the RCCI to coordinate with three major diagnostic laboratories to investigate providing free or subsidised screening services. Senator Sherry Rehman encouraged businesses to include breast cancer screening in their corporate social responsibility programmes, providing services for female employees and the female relatives of male staff.
One in every nine women in Pakistan faces the risk of breast cancer, according to Senator Sherry Rehman. Senator Sherry Rehman noted that many patients currently go without timely treatment because numerous cases remain undiagnosed. Senator Sherry Rehman identified social stigma and cultural barriers as significant obstacles to awareness and early diagnosis.
Senator Sherry Rehman stated that breast cancer should not be regarded solely as a women’s issue. Pakistan faces a high breast cancer burden when compared with other Asian countries, according to Senator Sherry Rehman. Senator Sherry Rehman pledged to encourage other political leaders to support the initiative.
