Like every year, Pinktober initiates the much-needed conversation surrounding one of the most taboo diseases that has plagued Pakistan, breast cancer. The country has the highest rate of breast cancer in all of Asia. However, due to lack of awareness and more importantly the stigmas associated with the disease, every year nearly 40,000 women lose their lives to it. Breast cancer is treatable, in fact, it has a 90% chance of survival if it is detected in time. However, deeply ingrained taboos, societal pressures, and stigmas associated with the disease discourage women from receiving life-saving treatment. Ultimately leading to their demise. These stigmas are not based on evidence and must be broken so that women can take better care of their health without the added stress of societal pressures.

Psychological Morbidity

Psychological morbidity refers to the stress, anxiety, and depression often associated with clinical diseases. Breast cancer is associated with a significantly high rate of psychological morbidity among sufferers. For most women, the diagnosis of breast cancer is like a death sentence, even though the disease is very much treatable. Women feel let down by their bodies, and the mystery that shrouds this disease only adds to the misery of distressed patients. Psychological morbidity is a large reason women have trouble adhering to breast cancer treatment plans and are more at risk to abandon crucial treatments midway. Reluctance to follow instructions and severe psychological issues severely affect the quality of life of individuals suffering from breast cancer. Such patients must be dealt with compassion, encouraged and provided with research-backed information so they can make sound decisions regarding their health.

Body image Issues

Breast cancer and its treatment lead to severe body image issues in women. Although the disease may alter the appearance and shape of the breast. The treatment, which commonly includes mastectomy (breast resectioning) is often more concerning to females than breast cancer itself. Body image is closely tied to confidence and self-worth in many women, especially in cultures that promote such narratives. Patients are concerned about losing a large part of their femininity and being treated differently by society. This is one of the many reasons that lead to reluctance in receiving treatment. However, this perspective must be changed so that patients are encouraged to put their health above everything else. Although breast cancer is indeed difficult, most females can go back to their previous lifestyle and live a normal healthy life after recovery.

Mistrust and misinformation

There is a lot of mistrust and mystery surrounding breast cancer. The treatment plans, though successful in most cases if delivered timely, are difficult to adhere to. Besides this, most women present in advanced stages when the disease becomes difficult to treat successfully. Hence there is reluctance in receiving treatment or even addressing the issue. Although there is a plethora of research that states the benefits of early intervention, this mistrust, and misinformation is spread easily and can cost vulnerable individuals to deny themselves crucial help.

Cultural stigma

Most issues that concern females and their bodies are kept under wraps for fear of shame and discrimination. The cultural stigma surrounding female health prevents women from taking care of their bodies. Practices such as self-examination are discouraged in females even though they may help to catch the disease at an early stage. Fighting this stigma and promoting female health can help the country reduce its high breast cancer mortality rate.

Conclusion

Breast cancer is undoubtedly a dangerous disease and patients suffering from it feel vulnerable. But awareness campaigns, body positivity movements, and tireless activists are working around the clock to address issues regarding body image, psychological morbidity and social stigma so that women are encouraged to take care of themselves and seek help immediately. There is life beyond breast cancer that is worth living, and patients must be inspired to see beyond their disease to battle it effectively and lead a healthy life.