Breast cancer takes 6,844 lives in Bangladesh every year: report

Some 12,764 women are detected with breast cancer in the country every year and 6,844 of them die of the disease, according to a report of International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

To reduce the number and remove the threat of breast cancer, speakers at a programme yesterday urged the government to work in full capacity to raise awareness on the disease across the country.

They also urged women to be aware and undergo regular check-ups to identify whether they have any symptom of the disease.

Speakers came up with the remarks at a roundtable organised jointly by Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum (BBCAF) and Rotary International District at Jatiya Press Club, marking the 7th Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

Before the discussion, a human chain was formed in front of Jatiya Press Club by members of both organisations.

Citing the IARC report, Head of Cancer Epidemiology Division at the National Cancer Research Institute, Dr Md Habibullah Talukder Ruskin, said, “If detected early, 90 percent of breast cancer patients have the possibility to recover with proper and complete treatment.”

The organisation wants to create social awareness on the disease among people of all classes, he added.

Vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Prof Kanak Kanti Barua, said although the mortality rate is seemingly high for women, awareness and proper care can eradicate the threat of breast cancer.

Prof Shubhagat Chowdhury, Prof Mojaherul Haque and Prof Sabera Khatun also spoke at the programme.

According to Global Cancer Statistics, every year, 2,088,849 women suffer from breast cancer worldwide.

Source: The Daily Star