Shame and hesitation must be overcome to seek breast cancer treatment
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Breast cancer remains one of the major challenges to women’s health in Bangladesh and around the world. Thousands of women in the country are diagnosed with the disease every year. However, the chances of recovery increase significantly when breast cancer is detected at an early stage. Experts have urged women to overcome shame and hesitation and seek medical advice promptly.
The call was made at a dialogue titled “Analysis of the Global and National Situation of Breast Cancer and Ways to Overcome the Challenges” at the Milon Hall of Bangladesh Medical University on Saturday morning. The Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum and the university’s Department of Clinical Oncology jointly organized the event to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
Bangladesh Medical University Vice Chancellor Professor FM Siddiqui said breast cancer was not an incurable disease. The chances of recovery through proper treatment were much higher when the disease was detected at an early stage. He said awareness must be raised among women by addressing the prevailing shame, fear and hesitation surrounding the disease.
After the dialogue, a pink procession was held from Shahbagh to Karwan Bazar, where leaflets were distributed. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about breast cancer and highlight the importance of early detection.
The Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum has been observing Breast Cancer Awareness Day independently every year on October 10 since 2013. This year marked the 14th Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
Speakers at the dialogue, moderated by Professor Habibullah Talukder Ruskin, chief coordinator of the forum, said population-based cancer registration was essential to determine the actual cancer burden in the country. They also stressed the need to expand screening programs and make treatment services accessible to people at their doorsteps.
Professor Syed Akram Hossain, chairman of the university’s Department of Clinical Oncology, said the country faced a crisis in cancer treatment. However, if awareness initiatives helped detect patients at an early stage, more people could receive treatment even with limited medical facilities.
Professor Habibullah Talukder Ruskin said the head of government and officials responsible for the Health Ministry had been emphasizing disease prevention in policy and planning. He said this gave him reason to be optimistic. However, he called for at least 40 percent of the health budget to be allocated to cancer prevention and early detection.
The physician urged the government to ensure treatment opportunities for poor patients at private hospitals alongside expanding public cancer treatment services. He also called on affluent people in the country to come forward to establish nonprofit and charitable cancer hospitals.
Others who attended the dialogue included Dr. Halida Hanum Akhter, a faculty member at Johns Hopkins University and a public health expert; Professor Dr. Sabera Khatun, founding chairman of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology at Bangladesh Medical University; current department chairman Professor Dr. Jannatul Ferdous Jonaki; Mosarrat Jahan Sourav, chairperson of CCPR; public health expert Dr. Abu Jamil Faisal; Syed Humayun Kabir, founder of the World Cancer Society Bangladesh; Jebunnesa, founder of HEAL; and National Award winning film director Mashiuddin Shaker, among others.
