Peshawar: The Bank of Khyber (BoK) has launched PINKTOBER 2026, a month-long breast cancer awareness campaign aimed at promoting early detection, timely medical consultation and access to treatment among its employees.
The campaign was launched at a ceremony held at the bank’s head office, BoK Tower here, under the theme ‘Many Journeys, One Hope,’ highlighting the different experiences of breast cancer patients while stressing the importance of recognizing warning signs and seeking timely medical care.
Consultant Radiation Oncologist at the Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Peshawar, Dr Zainab Jan, conducted an awareness session and briefed employees about the early signs of breast cancer.
General Surgeon and Fellow Breast Surgeon at Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, Dr. Abeer Jehanzeb, explained the procedure for breast self-examination and responded to questions from the participants.
Group Head HR Shaban Butt said understanding the causes of breast cancer, preventive measures and the importance of timely treatment was essential for saving lives.
‘As an organization, we stand beside our people. Human capital and well-being are at the heart of everything we do, and we will continue to support our colleagues, particularly women who bring immense value to the workplace,’ he said.
Group Head Retail Banking and Acting Managing Director Gul Buhar Khan said breast cancer required sustained attention as it could affect women at relatively younger ages.
He said awareness was particularly important because early detection could help save lives, adding that breast cancer remained a life-threatening disease.
Under PINKTOBER 2026, BoK is encouraging its employees to ‘Be Aware, Get Checked, Support Breast Cancer Patients and Spread Hope.’
The initiative aims to promote awareness, reduce stigma and encourage women to seek medical advice over any unusual changes, while reinforcing the bank’s commitment to employee wellbeing and a healthy and inclusive workplace.
According to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, Pakistan recorded an estimated 30,682 new breast cancer cases and 15,552 deaths in 2022, underscoring the importance of awareness and early detection.