Health Experts Call For Stronger Cancer Research and Data to Improve Breast Cancer Outcomes in Pakistan
Published September 04, 2026 | 04:40 PM
PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2026) Health experts, researchers, parliamentarians, academics, and healthcare professionals have urged for:
- Stronger cancer research
- Reliable data systems
- Greater institutional collaboration
to improve breast cancer outcomes in Pakistan.
This call was made during an event organized by the Pakistan Institute of Living & Learning (PILL) in collaboration with Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH). Titled “Data Saves Lives – Evidence Today, Better Outcomes Tomorrow”, the event aimed to highlight the significance of data in understanding cancer patterns, healthcare planning, policymaking, and clinical decision-making.
Key Points:
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Reliable cancer registries and accurate data are essential for:
- Understanding disease patterns
- Healthcare planning
- Policymaking
- Clinical decision-making
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Dr. Irfan-ul-Islam Nasir, consultant Surgical Oncologist and Lead of the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre Registry, emphasized the need for effective cancer data systems.
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Prof. Dr. Farhat Jaffari, Director Clinical Trials Unit, PILL, discussed the growing cancer burden in Pakistan and called for:
- Stronger research
- Improved data systems
- Early detection
- Clinical trials
- Evidence-based policies
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Asst. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tariq, Medical Oncologist at Khyber Teaching Hospital, highlighted research-driven approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Associate Prof. Dr. Irum Sabir Ali, Associate Medical Director and Breast & General Surgeon at Khyber Teaching Hospital, called for stronger coordination among hospitals, universities, and researchers to establish a provincial cancer research network in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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Dr. Tayyeba Kiran, Associate Programme Director of the Moving on After Breast Cancer programme, stressed the importance of integrating psychosocial care into breast cancer services, especially for women in low-resource settings.
Emerging researchers also presented findings on:
- Breast cancer awareness
- Prevention
- Screening
- Data digitisation
Ms. Eiman Nizam discussed awareness and screening behaviors, Ms. Javeria Mukhtiar presented a systematic review of global breast cancer awareness campaigns, and Dr. Zainab Tariq spoke about a student-led initiative to develop a breast cancer registry through data digitisation.
An expert panel, comprising Prof. Dr. Mah Muneer Khan, Prof. Dr. Iqbal Haider, Dr. Bushra Rehman, Ms. Razia Sultana, and Dr. Atif Munawar, discussed research gaps and opportunities for improving breast cancer prevention and care.