Rising Burden of Breast Cancer in Pakistan: An Urgent Call for Early Detection and Awareness

Abstract

Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy among women in Pakistan, with one in nine women at risk during their lifetime. Despite global advances in early detection and treatment, Pakistan faces persistently high mortality due to delayed diagnosis, limited screening facilities, and cultural barriers. This letter highlights the urgent need for a national breast cancer control strategy emphasizing public awareness, early detection, and equitable access to screening. Integration of community education, mobile mammography units, and telemedicine-based referral systems can play a vital role in reducing disease burden. A coordinated, preventive, and innovation-driven approach is essential to improve outcomes and survival rates among Pakistani women.