The 14th Breast Cancer Awareness Day was observed across the country on Saturday, with a message to increase awareness and promote early diagnosis of the disease.
To mark the day, a national dialogue titled “Global and National Situation Analysis of Breast Cancer and Ways Forward” was held at 10am at Dr Milon Hall of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), reads a press release.
Organised jointly by the Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum and BMU’s Department of Clinical Oncology, the event was followed by a pink rally and leaflet distribution programme from Shahbagh to Karwan Bazar.
The Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum has been observing Breast Cancer Awareness Day unofficially on 10 October every year since 2013.
Moderated by Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum Chief Coordinator Prof Dr Habibullah Talukder Ruskin, speakers at the dialogue highlighted the need for population-based cancer registration for accurate statistics, alongside cancer screening and the expansion of treatment facilities alongside awareness.
Addressing the event as chief guest, Bangladesh Medical University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr FM Siddiqui, said that breast cancer is a major threat to women’s health protection not only in Bangladesh but worldwide. He noted that thousands of women in the country are affected by the disease every year.
Emphasising that breast cancer is not incurable, he said that a 100 per cent cure is possible through proper treatment if detected at an early stage and called upon women to overcome shame and hesitation.
BMU Department of Clinical Oncology Chairman Prof Dr Syed Akram Hossain noted his prior involvement with the Breast Cancer Awareness Forum’s programmes and acknowledged the country’s ongoing crisis in cancer treatment. He added that despite limited facilities, such awareness initiatives can ensure care for a larger number of patients through early detection.
Delivering the keynote speech, Prof Habibullah Talukder Ruskin expressed optimism, noting that for the first time, stakeholders from the head of government down to officials in charge of the Ministry of Health are talking about formulating policies and plans giving priority to disease prevention.
Dr Ruskin demanded the allocation of at least 40 per cent of the health budget for prevention and early diagnosis. He called upon the government to expand public cancer treatment facilities and ensure access for poor patients in private hospitals. Additionally, he urged the country’s wealthy individuals to establish non-profit and charitable cancer hospitals.
The dialogue was also attended by Dr Halida Hanum Akhter, faculty member at Johns Hopkins University and prominent public health expert; Prof Dr Sabera Khatun, founding Chairman of the Department of Gynaecological Oncology at BMU; and Prof Dr Jannatul Ferdous Jonaki, current Chairman of the Department of Gynaecological Oncology at BMU.
Other notable participants included Mosarrat Jahan Sourav, Chairperson of CCPR; public health expert Dr Abu Jamil Faysal; Syed Humayun Kabir, Founder of World Cancer Society Bangladesh; Jebunnesa, Founder of HEAL; and national award-winning film director Masihuddin Shaker, among others.
