WorkPod Breast Cancer Awareness Event Brings Hope to Lahore
October 31, 2024 | WorkPod Team
Every year, 90,000 Pakistani women hear those three words nobody wants to hear, You have cancer. Specifically, breast cancer. And the worst part? Most cases aren’t caught early enough.
That’s precisely why we hosted this event at WorkPod last month. Not just to tick a box or post something on social media, but because this conversation needs to happen more often in Pakistan.
When Two Powerhouses Walk Into a Coworking Space
We were incredibly fortunate to host two absolute legends for this event.
Dr. Misbah Masood brought 35 years of fighting cancer to our space. She’s the former Head of Oncology at Inmol Cancer Hospital, and trust me, when she talks about breast cancer, you listen.
Then there’s Moneeza Hashmi. If you grew up in Pakistan, you know her work. Four decades in media, fearless advocacy, and she’s been pushing women’s health issues into the spotlight since before it was trendy.
Together? They created something special that afternoon.
Pink Ribbons and Real Talk
The day kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Yes, everything was pink. Attendees painted, wore pink scarves, and honestly, it felt good to see so many people showing up for something that matters.
The Truth About Breast Cancer in Pakistan
Dr. Misbah didn’t sugarcoat anything. She started with something that surprised a lot of people in the room:
Breast cancer is not a death sentence. It’s a treatable disease.
Simple words, but they matter. Especially here, where there’s still so much fear and misinformation floating around.
She also dropped another truth bomb that got everyone’s attention: men get breast cancer, too. And when they do, it’s often more aggressive because guys typically ignore symptoms longer than women do.
What to Actually Look For
Dr. Misbah walked everyone through the warning signs.
Lumps in the breast or underarm area
- Skin changes that look unusual
- Nipple discharge that wasn’t there before
- Any changes in breast shape or size
She talked about self-exams, regular screenings, and why putting off that doctor’s appointment could literally cost you your life.
The treatment options she covered, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, are all available in Pakistan. The resources exist. The problem is catching it early enough to use them.
Why Early Detection Changes Everything
Raising awareness and taking early action are crucial for improving survival rates,” Dr. Misbah emphasized.
And she’s right. When breast cancer is caught in stage one, survival rates shoot up dramatically. Wait until stage three or four? The numbers get scary fast.
It Takes a Village
Moneeza Hashmi brought a different perspective, but one that was equally important.
Breast cancer is not just a personal struggle; it is a societal challenge, she said.
She shared stories from her time hosting Khawateen Time and talked about friends who’ve battled this disease. Her point was clear: we need to stop treating breast cancer like it’s something shameful or private. It’s a health issue, and we fight it together.
The Questions Everyone Was Thinking
The Q&A session got real, fast. People asked about genetic risks, whether certain lifestyles increase danger, and yes, more questions about men and breast cancer.
Dr. Misbah patiently explained that while family history matters, most breast cancer cases happen in people with no family history at all. Anyone can get it.
She stressed again that men need to pay attention to their bodies too. A lump in the chest? Don’t ignore it. Weird changes? Get it checked. Men often wait too long because they assume breast cancer is “a woman’s thing.” That delay can be deadly.
What Happens Next
As everyone gathered for the group photo at the end, you could feel something had shifted. People weren’t just informed, they were motivated.
Dr. Adnan Zahir, WorkPod’s CEO, summed it up perfectly: Together, we can combat breast cancer and support those affected by it.
The attendees left with more than pink scarves and souvenirs. They went with knowledge they could share with family, friends, and their communities. That’s the real victory here.
Why WorkPod Did This
We’re a coworking space. We could’ve just stuck to providing desks and WiFi. But building community means showing up for the things that matter to that community.
Health awareness matters. Supporting women (and men) matters. Creating spaces where tough conversations can happen matters.
This event wasn’t just about breast cancer awareness. It was about proving that when people come together with the correct information and support, real change becomes possible.
Take Action Today
If you’re reading this and thinking, I should check that thing I’ve been ignoring, then this article did its job.
Book that appointment. Do that self-exam. Have that uncomfortable conversation with your family about medical history.
Breast cancer doesn’t wait for the perfect time. Neither should you.
