Govt plans nationwide breast cancer screening at grassroots level
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said the government is taking steps to launch a breast cancer screening program to detect the disease at the grassroots level across the country. To this end, healthcare infrastructure development, recruitment of new physicians and midwives, and strengthening of training activities are underway.
He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting organized on the occasion of “Breast Cancer Awareness Month-2026” at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka on Sunday.
Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Affairs SM Ziauddin Haider was present as the special guest at the event.
The health minister said the number of women suffering from breast cancer is increasing in the country. Not only in urban areas, but many women in rural areas are also contracting this disease. Due to a lack of awareness and non-receipt of timely treatment, detecting the disease at an early stage is not being possible for many.
As a result, they are also being deprived of proper medical care. This disease exerts a deep impact not only on a woman’s physical health but also on her mental well-being and normal lifestyle.
He added that creating effective awareness is not possible merely through organizing meetings and seminars or broadcasting on television. For this, doctors must play a more active role.
Addressing the doctors, Sakhawat noted, “Return to your own villages at least two to three days a year. Gather local women and teach them the early symptoms of breast cancer and how to remain aware regarding breast health.”
Ziauddin said although widespread loss of life once occurred due to communicable diseases in the country, non-communicable diseases are responsible for about 71-73 percent of total deaths. To tackle diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, prevention, early-stage detection, and ensuring timely treatment are essential.
He added that breast cancer is detected in 15 out of every 1,00,000 women in the country. About 63 percent of affected women do not come under any form of screening. As a result, in many cases, the disease is detected late, making treatment complex. To tackle this situation, he emphasized raising public awareness and expanding screening activities.
National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery Director Nasir Uddin presided over the event. Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) General Secretary Zahirul Islam Shakil, Dhaka Medical College Hospital Director Brig Gen AKM Farhad Hossain and many others were present at the time.
