Pakistani celebrities raise their voices about cancer awareness.

Encourage women to get screened to protect against breast cancer.

KARACHI:Every October, pink ribbons show up on social media, in hospitals, and in public places. This is because Breast Cancer Awareness Month tells women to look for warning signs and see a doctor early. In Pakistan, actresses Angeline Malik and Nadia Jamil have used their own cancer experiences to teach people. Also, the death of veteran actor Naila Jaffri reminds us how hard this disease is for patients.

Angeline Malik, who has cancer, shared parts of her treatment, like chemotherapy, to push others to get help and talk openly about the illness.

In a talk with The Express Tribune, Malik said knowing about the disease and seeing a doctor early is very important.

"Look, I love all my fans that I am standing in front of you right now. This fight against cancer never ends, and we should talk about it. Because there were many things I did not know. I try to teach people on my platform. Please get your tests done and do not ignore help. Because for me, I realized too late."

Malik's words show the fear that comes with a cancer diagnosis and the need to find support. By sharing her story publicly, she hopes to help women see how important their health is and not put off seeing a doctor.

Nadia Jamil, who found out she had breast cancer in 2020, has also spoken honestly about treatment, getting better, and the emotional pain of the disease.

In an Instagram post for Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day on 13 October, Jamil remembered her chemotherapy sessions, waiting in hospital rooms, and the loss of people who, she wrote, should still be alive.

"Cancer took so much from me. But it also gave me something I never expected. It showed me my own strength and toughness. It taught me that I can stand up for myself, fully and strongly, and never again wait for anyone else to meet my needs," she wrote.

Looking back on the faith and community she found during her illness, she added, "It gave me a group of amazing women. And it gave me Faith—true, deep Faith—in God. Strong. Unbreakable. Praise be to God."

Jamil also gave her support to women living with metastatic breast cancer, which is when the disease spreads beyond the breast to other parts of the body.

"You are not just a number. You are not your sickness. You are mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, women with laughter, plans, and dreams that still count," she wrote.

She told women who had finished treatment to go to their follow-up appointments and stay aware of any changes in their bodies.

"And to every woman hearing those words for the first time this week: you are stronger than you realize, and we stand with you. We are together."

She ended: "Cancer takes so much. But it cannot take our voice, our dignity, our faith, or each other."

Veteran TV and theatre actor Naila Jaffri passed away in Karachi on 17 July 2021, at age 56, after fighting cancer for several years. She had asked TV channels to pay royalties for repeated broadcasts, saying the payments could help actors cover medical costs when illness stopped them from working.

The experiences of Malik and Jamil, along with Jaffri's story, show how important it is to talk openly about cancer, get access to medical care, and receive emotional support.

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