Images

Breast cancer awareness gets a push with celeb and social media support

Breast cancer awareness gets a push with celeb and social media support

October sees a rise in breast cancer awareness initiatives, and celebs help break the taboo around the curable disease
16 Oct, 2015

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a heartening time when women around the world stand up for each other.

Although the talk about breast cancer is prevalent in western society, it's only recently that the issue has made its way into the spotlight in Pakistan.

A-listers like Mahira Khan and Sanam Saeed have taken the stage too, joining hands with the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital to raise awareness about the disease that is curable if it's diagnosed early on.

Mahira addresses the SKMH event
Mahira addresses the SKMH event

In a video message, Mahira and Sanam stress on the need for women to perform self-examinations and visit a doctor if they feel something is wrong. Women who have crossed the age of 40 need to go for mammograms every year to ensure that there are cancer free.

Mahira and Sanam tell their listeners to take care of themselves.

Apne aap se wada karo

Apna khayal rakhne ka irada karo

Hadiqa Kiani, who has been away from the music scene since Pakistan Idol, is also one of the initiative's ambassadors and has been seen in events addressing the need for self-awareness.

Hadiqa Kiani takes the pledge
Hadiqa Kiani takes the pledge

TV show host Ayesha Sana also attended the event to show her support.

Ayesha Sana at the event
Ayesha Sana at the event

Mussarat Misbah, who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the LSAs this year, held a makeup tutorial for patients in the session.

The #pinkselfie

Not only celebrities, but popular fashion brand Generation has also started a simple yet effective awareness campaign. Instead of relying on star power, the campaign focuses on young women who post their picture taking the pledge.

With more than 50 posts on their Instagram account, Generation is also giving out pamphlets to buyers in their outlets and the sales staff is wearing pink ribbons to show their support.

Comments

M.Saeed Oct 16, 2015 07:17pm
One single precaution for curbing breast cancer is in eliminating "chemical milk" from the market by ruthless quality assurances.
Recommend (0)
Najam Oct 16, 2015 08:45pm
The mammogram isn't an annual investigation , it is a three yearly one starting from when they are 50 to 73. It depends on other factors like family history of breast cancer as well, so to tell women that it is an annual event after 40 is wrong i think.
Recommend (0)
Pakistan Waking Up Oct 16, 2015 10:29pm
Amazing seeing our celeberties bringing awareness about breast cancer.
Recommend (0)
A. Ali Oct 17, 2015 12:02am
glitter and gala.... is all about this cancer awareness odyssey.
Recommend (0)
Mansoor Oct 17, 2015 11:41am
@M.Saeed If cancer patients avoid animal protein the chances of cure will increase manifold. This has been proved by several epidemiological studies. Read "The China Study by T. Colin Campbell.
Recommend (0)
tania Oct 17, 2015 01:00pm
@Najam latest recommendation made in the US are very contrary o what you are saying. You can look them up.
Recommend (0)
Najam Oct 17, 2015 02:47pm
@tania , these are the NICE guidelines that are followed in the UK, I think it is a great move altogether but facts should be correct as well. The US would still not do annual surveillance mammograms i am afraid.
Recommend (0)