World over, October is observed as a month for creating much needed awareness on a deadly and fearsome disease, breast cancer. Doctors and members of civil society lay huge importance to highlight the menace of breast cancer. The month is also symbolically marked as the month of the PINK RIBBON during which people show solidarity by wearing pink ribbons. In this regards an awareness seminar was organized at the head office auditorium on October 24, 2013 jointly by Medical Services Department and Sui Southern Gas Company Women Association (SSGCWA).
The event was encouraged and lauded by female employees of the company as well as spouses of the male employees as the entry was restricted to the female audience. The welcome speech by Ms. Asma Butt, Vice President SSGCWA was followed by a very informative and interactive presentation by the guest speaker Dr. Bushra Waseem, General Surgeon Patel Hospital. The presentation included basic information about the disease as well as its symptoms and available treatment options. According to the facts discussed during the seminar the house was told that one out of nine women in Pakistan are at a risk of contracting this disease whereas 40,000 women die due to breast cancer every year which signifies the enormity and need of such awareness programs. It was informed that disease is curable if attended in time and women were advised to get their mammograms on a periodical basis and note any significant changes and developments in light of symptoms that were shared in the presentation.
A breast cancer survivor also shared her experiences that followed a question and answer session and a quiz competition amongst the audience. Sr. General Manager (Management Services) Dr. Shehla Naqvi along with Dr. Bushra Waseem distributed lucky draw prizes and giveaways amongst the audience. Famous television artist Aroosa Siddiqui also attended the seminar that concluded on a high, leaving extremely satisfied participants who praised the organizers for holding such an informative event.