KARACHI: Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre is preparing to open a state-of-the-art breast radiation facility that will provide advanced cancer treatment free of charge to women from across Pakistan.
The Bilquis and Abdul Sattar Edhi Breast Radiation Bay is in the final stages of completion at JPMC and is expected to begin operations in September 2026. The project is being developed through a partnership involving the Sindh government, Patients’ Aid Foundation and Edhi Foundation.
The Edhi Foundation has funded approximately $4 million worth of advanced breast cancer treatment equipment for the facility. Once operational, the dedicated unit is expected to treat around 160 breast cancer patients daily without charging them for radiation therapy.
Advanced Tomotherapy Systems Installed
The facility will be equipped with modern Helix Tomotherapy systems, which combine radiation treatment with imaging technology to accurately identify and target cancerous tissue.
The machines will use fan-beam CT scanners, surface-guided radiation therapy and deep inspiration breath-hold technology to improve treatment precision and reduce unnecessary radiation exposure to the heart and other healthy organs.
Professor Emeritus Dr Tariq Mahmood, head of radiation oncology at JPMC, said the advanced equipment would allow doctors to deliver radiation more precisely and complete treatment in fewer visits for eligible patients.
He said some breast cancer patients who traditionally require around 20 to 22 radiation sessions may be treated in as few as five sessions using modern hypofractionated treatment techniques. The exact number of sessions, however, will depend on the patient’s diagnosis, cancer stage and treatment plan.
Free Treatment for Women
The new breast radiation bay will be staffed entirely by women, including doctors, radiation therapists, nurses and technicians.
Officials say the arrangement has been designed to protect patients’ privacy and provide a more comfortable treatment environment for women undergoing breast cancer care.
The facility will expand JPMC’s overall capacity to provide free radiotherapy. According to hospital officials, the addition of the new unit could increase the centre’s total radiation treatment capacity to more than 400 cancer patients per day.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Breast cancer develops when abnormal cells in breast tissue begin growing uncontrollably. Without timely diagnosis and treatment, the disease may spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Possible warning signs include:
- A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
- A change in the size or shape of the breast
- Dimpling or unusual changes in the skin
- Abnormal discharge from the nipple
- A change in the position or appearance of the nipple
These symptoms do not always mean cancer, but women experiencing them should seek medical assessment rather than attempting to diagnose the condition themselves.
Doctors stress that early detection significantly improves treatment options and outcomes. Regular awareness, timely screening and prompt consultation remain essential alongside improved access to modern radiation technology.
The new JPMC facility is expected to make advanced treatment accessible to patients who may otherwise be unable to afford the high cost of radiation therapy in the private healthcare sector.
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