KARACHI: As many as 40,000 women die of breast cancer every year in Pakistan.This was informed at the Pink Ribbon Day observed at the Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) at its premises here on Friday.

The female speakers further pointed out that some 1.38 million women become victim of the this disease in the whole world, every year.

Speaking at the program as a chief guest Mrs. Shaista M. Ali said that breast cancer is a fatal disease for women, but in our country women are taking it as a taboo.

Therefore, such ignorance is a major hurdle in beating up breast cancer.

She said that there was a need to spread awareness among common women and girls about breast cancer, which will help them to get diagnosed it in its primary stage.

`Our girls and women are usually gripped with a fear of cancer, that is why they are avoiding consulting a doctor, which proves harmful for their lives in later days', she said.

Dr Ambreen Fazal, Chairperson of Department of Media and Communication Studies of SMIU, said that if the breast cancer is diagnosed in its early stage, there would be 90 percent chances to survive from it.

She said that women should discuss this kind of issues with their family members and doctors without any fear and hesitation, because this is a matter of life.

SMIU's girl students also talked on the subject and emphasized to spread awareness about the breast cancer especially among girls, women and family members.

On this occasion a Pink Ribbon Dress Competition was held among the female students of SMIU, where, in students' category, Ms Nada Yasir got first position and Ms Nimra stood second.

In teachers' category, Ms Shaheena got first and Ms Sahar Channa second position.

SMIU's faculty member Ms. Kokab Jehan also gave a detailed presentation on the breast cancer and suggested some preliminary steps to control it.

In the end prizes were distributed among the winners of competition. The program was attended by SMIU's female faculty, staff members, female students, Principal of SMIU Model School Ms Nabila Kanwal and female teachers and girl students of the school.—APP