LAHORE: Punjab University Institute of Social and Cultural Studies Director Prof Dr Rubeena Zakar said, “child marriages must be controlled to avoid cervical cancer.”
Shedding light on the frequency of the crippling disease, Zakar said the exact incidence and prevalence of cervical cancer was not known, however, 20 women were diagnosed with the cancer daily.
She was addressing an awareness seminar on prevention of cervical cancer in Pakistan.
Highlighting the risk factors behind the cervical cancer, she stressed that the disease could be prevented if child marriages, smoking were avoided, besides promoting a healthy lifestyle.
She said screening and early detection could also prevent the growing number of deaths owing to cancer.
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Prof Dr Javeria Saleem discussed the risk factors and preventive measures related to cervical cancer. She also apprised the audience of HPV acquisition and its prevention by vaccination during adolescence.
An informative video was also screened for the audience regarding signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.
The session was attended by students, representatives of non-governmental organisations, academia as well as civil society organisations.
