PRESS RELEASE

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, in connection with its “Lets Bowl out Cancer Campaign” organized a cricket match between showbiz eleven and the Canadian High Commission cricket team on 17th March 2013 in Shalimar Cricket ground Islamabad. The aim was to raise funds for the construction of Pakistan’s second Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in Peshawar.

The Showbiz eleven included Adnan Siddiqui, Aijaz Aslam, Moamar Rana, Kashif Mehmood, Agha Sheraz, Amjad Sabri Qawal, Fahad Mustafa, and Tahir Kazmi. Canadian High Commission won the series by winning 2 out of 3 matches played on the day. Good number of cricket fans and foreigners from different embassies showed up to watch this exciting cricket match. The guest appearance of renowned cricketer Shoaib Akhter doubled the festivity of the event.

Mr. Greg Giokas, the Canadian High Commissioner expressed his support towards the building of second Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in Peshawar and admired the great cause. He said that building this Hospital is very important not only for the people of KPK and Pakistan, and the Canadian High Commission is proud to be a part of this noble cause and will continue its support.

The captain of the Showbiz team, Adnan Siddiqui also showed his commitment towards the cause and said that the showbiz starts are ready to play their part in building of the second Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital in Peshawar. He encouraged other organizations to step forward and play charity cricket matches with Showbiz Eleven to help raise the funds for the construction of the Hospital.

Shoaib AKhter also gave a guest appearance at the match and bowled an over from the Canadian High Commission side to show his support for the cause. While talking to the Media, he also expressed great views for the Hospital and assured that he is always available to support this great cause.

Tariq Azam, Director marketing, SKMCH&RC thanked both the teams and the sponsors of the event which included IMAX/Cine Star, Metro Motors, Coca Cola, Phoenix Security, Telenor, Canada Club, NH Chocolatier, Serena Hotel, Etihad Airlines, Red bull and Malik Sports. He said that without community support it is not possible to make this Hospital and seeing the response from the public he is sure that the project will be completed in its stipulated time.

The fourth Shaukat Khanum Science Fair ‘EUREKA 2013’ is going to be held on Tuesday, March 5th, 2013 at the Hospital.

This annual science fair aims at providing opportunities to Young scientists to share ideas and showcase their innovative science projects and compete for the prestigious SKM Junior Scientist of the Year Award.

Almost 150 projects in the Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Computer and Environmental Sciences category have qualified for the grand final this year. Leading schools’ young scientists and prominent educationists are participating in this science fair. Special prizes and certificates will also be distributed among successful participants on the occasion by the jury members, consisting of eminent educationists like Prof. Dr. Nikhat Khan,
(Vice Principal & Dean Post Graduate) Kinnard College University, Prof. Dr. Arjumand Iqbal Durrani from UET Lahore, Prof. Dr. Hamid Saeed (Registrar) and Prof. Dr. Sufian Aslam (Chairman Department of Physics) Forman Christian College University.

World Childhood Cancer Day Celebrated at SKMCH&RC 

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, in connection with World Childhood Cancer Day, organized a seminar on Retinoblastoma on 15th of this month. The aim was to create awareness about this disease in masses. The seminar was well attended by children suffering from this disease, their parents and a large number of doctors and specialists of this field.

Addressing to the audience on this occasion, Dr. Najma of SKMCH&RC shared the details of this disease and said that early diagnosis and proper treatment, eyesight of a patient can be saved. Dr. Fozia emphasized on the diagnosis of retinoblastoma and explained that how it can easily be done. She said that by using a camera with flash light and capturing a picture of a child ‘s face can help. Any sort of unusual change in the eye can lead us to diagnose this disease in time, she added. Swelling on the eye, difference in the size of an eye are the possible symptoms of retinoblastoma, she explained.

Renowned eye specialist, Prof. Dr. Syed Ali Haider also addressed the audience on this occasion. He described various treatment methods that are used for the treatment of this disease. Surgery, Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy are used to treat eye cancer, he said. If the disease is spread, it could cause loss of eyesight and in such cases we are forced to remove the eye of such patients to save their lives, he added.
Child cancer patients and their parents also shared their success stories and experiences with the audience and thanked SKMCH&RC for providing the treatment facilities to them.

SKMCH&RC's 18th Birthday  

The SKM Tigers Club of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre [SKMCH&RC] is organizing the 18th birthday of the Hospital on 14th January 2013.

A Birthday Card competition has also been arranged among the students in this connection and approximately 7,000 entries have been received from over 600 different schools from all over Pakistan. Hospital Birthday events are going to be organized in Karachi & Islamabad as well on January 17th & 29th, 2013 respectively. Eminent TV host Mani will host the events in Lahore and Karachi, whereas, famous TV host Aisha Sana will host the event in Islamabad. Well-known TV actor Adnan Siddiqui will be the chief guest in the SKMCH&RC’s 18th birthday event in Karachi. These events are sponsored by EBM (English Biscuits Manufacturers) and Wi-tribe (live stream partners).
In these events, hundreds of students from different schools will participate where the winners of the competition will be awarded with certificates and shields by the Hospital management.

SKMCH&RC Achieved its Annual Budget Target for the Year 2012  

The management of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre is pleased to announce that with the help and support of the people of Pakistan, the Hospital has achieved it’s annual budget target for the year 2012. In line with our mission, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre has continued to provide state-of-the-art cancer care to patients irrespective of the ability to pay this year too. Almost 75% of it’s patients were treated free of cost and till now the Hospital has spent almost 10 billion rupees on their treatment. Furthermore, on demonstrating excellent performance, the Hospital once again received the Corporate Excellence Award from the Management Association of Pakistan (MAP).

According to hospital records, after the Punjab, patients from the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province form the largest group of patients seen at the Hospital hence the construction of the Hospital in Peshawar is the need of the hour. The construction of the 2nd Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Peshawar has already been started, the cost of which is now estimated to be Rs. 2 billion. Moreover, the annual budget of the Hospital in Lahore is nearly Rs. 5.5 billion for the year 2013. This is undoubtedly a herculean task, but the SKMCH&RC’s management believes that with the support of the people of Pakistan not only this budget will be achieved but the construction of Peshawar Hospital will also be completed successfully.
 

52nd St. Andrew's Day Festival Symposium  

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) is organizing the 52nd St. Andrew's Day Festival Symposium on 6th and 7th (Thursday & Friday) December 2012. Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) will telecast this live on both days at 2:00pm, on third floor, main building of the Hospital.

Each day will include four sessions, presided by renowned specialists of their respective field whereas the introductory and welcome remarks will be given by Dr. Neil Dewhurst, President RCPE. The two day St. Andrew’s Day Festival Symposium is the highlight of the College year. Being the flagship educational event it focuses on the breadth of medicine rather than any one medical specialty.  This year’s topics include Difficult Problems in Acute Medicine, Investigations and therapies, Cardiology, and Future Challenges. The content of the symposium should be of interest not only to physicians involved with acute medicine but also to physicians who require updates on advances outwith their own specialty. It will also be relevant to doctors in training, general practitioners and allied health professionals.

Audience will have the opportunity to participate in the Q&A sessions with the panelists. SKMCH&RC is the only institution in this part of the world to have accreditation from AACME as a CME provider for health care professionals. it will be free for all event but pre-registration is required especially for outside Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre participants.

Mobilink donates Rs. 3 million to SKMCH&RC  

Mobilink Foundation has contributed PKR 3 million towards the construction of an out-patient facility at the under-construction Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center (SKMCH&RC) in Peshawar, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. A cheque for this contribution was presented by Tariq Durrani, Regional Director (Sales), Mobilink to Dr Faisal Sultan, CEO SKMCH&RC in a ceremony organized at the Hospital.

Since the commencement of SKMCH&RC’s first facility in Lahore, nearly 40,000 patients have visited the facility from the province of KPK. The need for a facility in the province is further amplified by the existing lack of access to diagnosis and treatment. The contribution by Mobilink Foundation is intended to assist SKMCH&RC’s efforts to provide state-of-the-art facilities to the people of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KPK). Construction on the project has started in March 2011 and is expected to be completed within 3 years.

Addressing the ceremony, Tariq Durrani, Regional Director (Sales) Mobilink emphasized, “Mobilink Foundation is pleased to contribute towards the construction of an out-patient facility at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, Peshawar. Mobilink Foundation supports the efforts being made by SKMCH&RC for the alleviation of those suffering from cancer across Pakistan. The completion of this new state-of-the-facility in Peshawar will result in an increasing number of deserving patients getting access to medical attention.”

Dr Faisal Sultan, CEO, SKMCH&RC added, “We are grateful for this contribution by Mobilink Foundation, which will further enable SKMCH&RC to provide health facilities to deserving patients both from Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and beyond.”

The contribution of the out-patient facility is a continuation of the support provided by Mobilink to SKMCH&RC over the last many years. Each Ramazan, Mobilink also organizes a zakat and donation campaign to generate funding for SKMCH&RC, and also creates awareness through activities at various customer touch points.

Two new Tests introduced first time in Pakistan   

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre has introduced two new pathology molecula tests for the first time in Pakistan.  First the BRAF Mutation Detection in melanomas and papillary thyroid carcinoma by real time PCR, and second KRAS Mutation Detection in colorectal cancer by real Time PCR, are the new additions in Hospital’s pathology diagnostics test menu.

BRAF mutation status is evaluated to guide treatment with drugs that target mutated BRAF, especially in patients with melanoma while KRAS mutation is used to determine eligibility for anti-EGFR therapy in patients with colorectal cancer.

It is pertinent to mention here that patients were referred to Singapore or USA for these tests and only those who could afford this expensive exercise were having these tests done abroad. But now the Hospital management feels proud by making these new medical testing facilities available for the people of Pakistan.  It is another step forward from SKMCH&RC to provide cancer care facilities to the people of Pakistan.

Ride off Cancer Day  

Junior Polo League Pakistan, Shaukat Khanum and the Golden Goals international program collaborated to raise funds for children with cancer. Dr. Asif Loya, Medical Director, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, was the chief guest on the occasion. The event was show cased at Lahore Polo Club today. Junior Polo League (JPL) opened the event with a cavalcade of 48 children on horses, that comprised of Riding Children, Polo Players and Tent Peggers.

The cavalcade was smartly turned out in an organized formation and presented a salute to the spectators, comprised mostly of children from schools such as The Care Foundation, Bali Memorial, Compass (Rahain), SOS, Rehel, Escorts, Gwyn House Aitchison College and Cancer patients from Shaukat Khanum. This totaled more than a thousand children along with over 1,500 spectators who turned out in great numbers to support the work of JPL and the Organizing Committee.

A young cancer patient walked on to the ground to cut the ribbon and let go a banner up in the sky that displayed the words “Ride Off Cancer”. This was followed by a presentation of riding skills by the children of the Lahore Polo Club Riding School.

An Aero Modeling display, tent pegging and a polo match by JPL players was shown to the guest children that were enthralled by the skill, determination and ability of the young riders.
The show ended with a presentation of a cheque of Rs:3.0 million that JPL players and members of the Organizing Committee had managed to collect. The cheque was presented to Dr. Asif Loya, Associated Medical Director of SKMH&RC.

Junior Polo League is the brain child of two leading polo players of the country, Agha Murtaza Ali Khan and Shah Qubilai Alam that worked together on purely voluntary basis to groom young children in to the fine art, skill and discipline of the great game of polo. It is their way of giving something back to the sport that gave them so much pleasure and recognition. Their objective is to raise a team of young players to the level where they can play for Pakistan as their national side and win the world cup. “JPL- Junior polo league is a breeding nest not only to nurture young polo players into professionals but also as social leaders, said Agha Murtaza Ali”. Privileged children learn virtues such as equality. They also learn that as they lead on in life it is their duty to develop the society as a whole around them and give back to their community, to become better leaders and humanitarians.

Shah Qubilai Alam added that “as polo students they are taught discipline strictly according to rules, they learn teamwork as they work in matches with their team mates and they learn patience and acquire valor, as they learn to control a beast much stronger than them”.

Dr. Asif Loya, while receiving the cheque of Rs. 3 million thanked the JPL, Golden Goals International and sponsors for arranging this event to support this noble cause. He said that children from schools and colleges played a vital role in the establishment of this cancer hospital and still are playing their active part, enabling it to continue its mission. The essence of sportsmanship builds character and JPL believes in instilling these qualities in an early age and setting the right foundations for a right character. This event was a first of its kind in Pakistan where children from all walks of life got together to raise awareness of the terrible disease of cancer. This was an event organized by the children for the children, to form a pact of unity and coming together as the future of this country.
 

Ride off Cancer  

With the slogan “Ride off Cancer” Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), in collaboration with Junior Polo League (JPL) and Golden Goals, is organizing an event with children to raise funds to treat children suffering from Cancer on Saturday 17th November 2012 at Lahore Polo Club, GOR 1, from 1:30 Pm to 5:00 pm. This will include a horse riding show, tent pegging along with an exhibition polo match by JPL. Around 1,000 children from different institutions and from all walks of life will be spectators on this occasion.

All proceeds of this event will be utilized on the treatment of under-privileged cancer patients at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre.
It may be recalled that “Ride off Cancer” is a joint venture of junior Polo League, Golden Goals and Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre.

 

SKMCH&RC's 11th International Cancer Symposium Concluded  

The 11th “three day” International Cancer Symposium of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre successfully concluded yesterday. Various sessions on different medical faculties, presided by renowned specialists of their fields, were conducted during this mega event. This year almost 150 speakers from Pakistan and abroad presented their research papers, followed by extensive discussion and question answer sessions.

Imran Khan, Chairman Board of Governors, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust, was the chief guest of this event that was attended by more than 1500 delegates. Imran Khan, while welcoming the participants, said that he was very happy to see the symposium as a successful event. He specially appreciated and thanked the foreign delegates who participated in this symposium despite of the fact that people from abroad did not want to visit Pakistan keeping in view the law and order situation prevailing in the country. There was a time when people were reluctant to participate in such symposiums in the absence of sufficient research work on cancer in the country but thanks God that we are organizing these symposiums for the last 15 years where people have been participating actively which speaks of the credibility of this Institution, he added. He also mentioned that today Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre is known as one of the best hospitals in the world because of it’s valuable services being provided to the patients without any discrimination, for which the management of the Hospital and people of Pakistan are proud of.

Dr. Faisal Sultan, CEO, SKMCH&RC and Dr. Arif Jamshed, chairman symposium organizing committee, apprised the audience of the objectives of the symposium and thanked them for their participation and hoped that they will extend their support for this institution in future as well.
 

SKMCH&RC's 11th International Cancer Symposium  

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre is organizing its 11th International Cancer Symposium from November 9 to 11, 2012 at Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore. The opening ceremony of this symposium will be held on 9th November 2012. The symposium theme this year “Costs of Cure” will focus on developing interventions that provide greater benefit at decreased physical and financial cost.

Imran Khan, chairman board of governors, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust will be the chief guest on this occasion. More than 1500 people from Pakistan and abroad will participate in this symposium including specialists of medical fields from America, UK and other countries. This event includes various sessions on different medical faculties i.e. Urology, Hematology, Pathology, Gynecology Oncology, Neuro Oncology, Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, Head & Neck Cancer, Palliative Care, Radiology, Pediatric Oncology, GI Cancer, Radiation Physics and Cancer Research.

This event will provide an excellent platform for an expert faculty to share the latest updates in Oncology. This year more than 100 national and international speakers from a wide range of disciplines will participate in the scientific programme designed to cover the span of oncology; from cancer prevention to cancer treatment and palliative care. They will also read their research papers followed by extensive question answer sessions. Pre-symposium workshops in Surgical Oncology and Pathology are also part of this event, aimed primarily at clinicians who wish to brush up their techniques.

The Symposium Organizing Committee has finalized the arrangements for this mega event and hope that doctors, consultants and other medical staff will be benefited from this symposium.
 

RCPE Symposium on Gastroenterology 

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) is organizing a symposium on Gastroenterology on Friday, November 2, 2012. Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH & RC) will telecast this event live. There will be no fee for attendance at the SKMCH venue but pre-registration is required, especially for outside participants. During this live telecast there will be an opportunity to ask questions of the speakers in Edinburgh in real time. This is an exciting time for gastroenterology, with new understandings and/or treatments emerging for common gastrointestinal and liver diseases.

The programme promises to be very topical, and this represents a wonderful opportunity for the trainees, in particular, to update themselves on the latest in the field. Various sessions on different topics including Gastrointestinal motility - Science & practice, Endoscopy - best use of new modalities, Liver disease - changing and challenging times and Inflammatory bowel disease - management dilemmas will be part of this symposium.

This symposium, the first on gastroenterology from the RCPE for 2 years, will provide a comprehensive update from an expert international faculty on these developments and will appeal to established consultants and trainees, both gastroenterologists and non-specialists, wishing to keep abreast of these rapidly moving fields.

These sessions will be chaired by renowned consultants of their respective fields and the welcome and introductory remarks will be given by the President Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

 

Hide Collection Campaign Launched

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre is going to launch its “Hide Collection” campaign this year as well on Eid-ul-Azha. The Hospital has planned to extend this campaign in 20 major cities of Pakistan this year, other than Lahore, including Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Multan where the Hospital have made the arrangements for Hide Collection. As per previous practice, a large number of volunteers and the Hospital staff is going to participate actively in this campaign. The Hospital management has also established a call-centre in the Hospital to entertain the telephone calls from the hide donors in this regard and the team of volunteers and the Hospital staff will collect hide from homes on a phone call as well.

It may be recalled that the money collected from this campaign is spent on the treatment of poor cancer patients. 75% of the patients are being treated free of cost in this Hospital. The Hospital management has appealed to the people to donate the hide of their sacrificial animals to SKMCH&RC this year as well so that the mission to treat poor cancer patients could go on.

International Infection Prevention Week at SKMCH&RC

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre celebrated International Infection Prevention week from 14th to 20th of October 2012. This week is celebrated globally to create awareness among health care professionals, patients and their family members about infection prevention and it refreshes the knowledge of doctors, nurses and other team members who are actively involved in patient care activities and reminds them the importance of infection prevention. The global message of this year was “Spread knowledge not infection”. The major areas of infection control covered this year through this campaign were Importance of Hand washing, standard and transmission based precautions, avoidance of needle stick injuries and proper segregation and disposal of waste.

11th SKMCH&RC Cancer Symposium

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre is organizing its 11th International Cancer Symposium from November 9 to 11, 2012 at a local hotel in Lahore. A large number of people from Pakistan and abroad will participate in this symposium including specialists of medical fields and national and international medical scientists will read their research papers during this symposium. This event also includes various sessions on different medical faculties where doctors and related medical staff from all renowned medical institutions of the country will share their expertise with the participants. One of the highlights of this symposium will be the stalls of medical equipment and related informative material, displayed by different renowned medical equipment manufacturing companies and pharmaceuticals. The Symposium Organizing Committee is busy in finalizing the arrangements for this mega event. Doctors, consultants and other medical staff will surely be benefited from this symposium.  

Breast Cancer Awareness Day celebrated at SKMCH&RC

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre organized a special event to observe International Breast Cancer Awareness Day today in the Hospital. The event was part of “Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign” being launched by the hospital to create awareness in masses about Breast cancer.

Famous celebrities like Mahira Khan, film actress & SKMCH&RC ambassador Reema Khan, consultants, doctors, students and teachers from different female educational institutions and people from different walks of life were present on this occasion. Ayesha Sana hosted the well attended event while Mahira Khan, famous TV artist flew from Karachi specially to participate in this event. Addressing to the audience on this occasion, she appreciated the doctors and management of SKMCH&RC for their efforts to highlight and discuss this issue in the masses and trying to create awareness about this disease.

While talking to the audience, Dr. Neelam Siddiqi, SKMCH&RC consultant oncologist discussed different methods of the treatment of Breast Cancer and its steps in 21st century. She highlighted different researches from history and present day, related to breast cancer and its cure. She said that it is important for every female at the age of 40 and above to visit doctor once every year and have her mammography done.

Dr. Amna Iqbal, consultant surgeon, SKMCH&RC talked about the symptoms of breast cancer. She said that the symptoms vary from person to person but mainly discussed the most common findings in breast cancer patients. She said that it is important for every female to self-examine herself regularly and search for the minor changes occurring in the body. She also said that they must share any sort of changes being observed to the doctor if so, as early and timely diagnosis can prevent this disease from growing more complicated. She emphasized that early diagnosis and treatment is the key that can bring 100% results in breast cancer treatment and cure.

Radiation oncologist Dr. Mazhar Ali Shah discussed different steps involved in the treatment procedure of Breast Cancer. He said that almost every patient of breast cancer undergoes from the first step of this procedure i.e. surgery, which follows chemo-therapy and radiation therapy. He also said that although we, as oncologists give our best to treat this disease but its patient’s own will power and courage to fight against any situation and disease that helps them to fight successfully.

A cured breast cancer patient of SKMCH&RC, Humaira Shazia shared her story of life and told the audience that how she fought against breast cancer. She thanked the doctors and the hospital management for their support and care provided to her in her treatment. She said that we can defeat any hardship through courage and must not let ourselves down. 

Reema Khan, ambassador SKMCH&RC who came especially from America for this event, also shared her views on this occasion and congratulated the management of the hospital on this successful campaign to bring awareness about breast cancer. She retreated that she would always be available to this institution for such a noble cause. She also said that we should be proud of SKMCH&RC who is providing free treatment to poor cancer patients.

In the end Dr. Faisal Sultan, CEO SKMCH&RC thanked the participants and appreciated the efforts of educational institutions, teachers and students, hospital doctors, marketing team and also thanked Warid Telecom, Ponds, Kayseria and Fashion Pakistan Lounge for sponsoring this campaign.

Breast Cancer Awareness Day at SKMCH&RC

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre is going to organize “Breast Cancer Awareness Day” on Monday 8th October 2012. It is part of Hospital’s “Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign” to create awareness about Breast cancer in masses.

This campaign includes sessions by oncologists on Breast Cancer Awareness in colleges and Universities, focusing female students and aiming to educate them about breast cancer, its causes, indications and symptoms, prevention, diagnosis and the treatment. In this connection, awareness sessions were arranged in all major cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujrat, Jehlum, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahalwarpur, Karachi, Hyderabad and in Dubai as well.

Famous Film star Reema Khan, TV stars Mahira Hafeez Khan and Mehreen Raheel, who are the ambassadors of this awareness campaign this year, will participate in this event going to be held on 8th of this month. The oncologists will deliver lectures on this disease on this event where almost 1000 students from different colleges and universities will also be present. 

Monthly CME (Continuing Medical Education) Lecture

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre is organizing a Monthly CME (continuing medical Education) lecture on the topic of “Approach to patient with peripheral vascular disease” for general medical practitioners on Friday, October 5th, 2012.

Dr Muhammad Saqib Saleem, a consultant Internist/hospitalist who has done his MRCP from London, UK, and is currently working here at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, will be the presenter on this occasion.

Peripheral vascular disease is not an uncommon disorder but still it is under recognized in clinical practice.  By the time it is diagnosed the disease has usually become well advanced.  Considering this disease and early recognition is important to halt the progression and minimize its complications that in severe cases can lead to amputation of an extremity.

SKMCH & RC is the only hospital in this region to be fully accredited by American Academy of Continuing Medical Education (AACME) to organize CME activities for health care professionals. Thus, it will be a unique opportunity for those who are interested in their professional growth.

Family practitioners, internists, post graduate trainees in medicine and medical students doing clinical rotation are the target audience of this “free for all” interactive session.

Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign 2012 Launch

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre is launching its “Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign 2012”to create awareness about Breast cancer in masses from 17th September 2012 in all major cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujrat, Jehlum, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahalwarpur, Karachi, Hyderabad and in Gulf as well.

This campaign includes sessions by oncologists on Breast Cancer Awareness in colleges and Universities, focusing female students and aiming to educate them about breast cancer, its causes, indications and symptoms, prevention, diagnosis and the treatment.

Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer all over Asia due to which every year 40,000 women die. One out of every nine women in Pakistan faces risk of the disease while the prevalence of this deadly ailment is the highest amongst all types of cancer in the country i.e. 38.5%. This issue can be addressed by raising awareness since due to the lack of awareness of breast cancer in Pakistan this treatable disease is usually detected at advanced stages when nothing can turn the course of the disease.

Oncologists, specialists, consultants, famous showbiz personalities and people from different walks of life join SKMCH&RC in this campaign every year to raise the awareness about this disease and to help raising healthcare graph in Pakistan.
 

Monthly CME (Continuing Medical Education) Lecture

Dr. Aamir Ali Syed, a well known consultant surgeon who is working in Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre for more than a decade, has been awarded with the prestigious civil award, Sitara-i-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan for rendering his valuable services in health care. It is not only a huge honor for Dr. Aamir but also a matter of pride for this national institution.