Bangladeshis mainly suffer from lung, breast cancer, experts say

Experts at the week-long training programme on cancer styled Cancer Medical Mission-2017 jointly organised by Partners for World Health (PWH) and Rotary Club of Dhaka Mavericks at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH) in the city recently.

A week- long training programme on cancer styled Cancer Medical Mission-2017, jointly organised by Partners for World Health (PWH) and Rotary Club of Dhaka Mavericks began at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH) in the city on Saturday, according to a press release.

In Bangladesh a good number of people suffer from cancer. Lack of proper treatment, poverty, no regular consultation with the doctor, and lack of proper treatment are common for the cancer patients. An adequate intervention of Government is required against this fatal disease, opined the experts

Elizabeth A Mclellan, the founder and CEO of Partners for World Health said at the week-long cancer medical mission-2017 that the people of Bangladesh suffer mainly from lungs cancer and women from breast and cervical cancer. The reasons behind this are virus and bacteria-related disease, obesity, long -term sickness, and tobacco smoking. Along with this, formalin and use of chemicals in dry food are also contributing to the disease, she said adding the disease needs extra care. 

Mclellan also said that not only the doctors, the nurses also play a vital role in the treatment process. That's why they also need proper training. Along with the treatment, they can provide mental support to their patients. The nurses also participated in the training programme.

Besides this, certificates will be given to the nurses for the training of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The Director of the hospital Mr. Moarrof Hossin said this kind of initiative would help improve the quality of cancer treatment across the country.

The experts are: Robert Horowitz, Medical Director for Medical Oncology at the York Hospital, in York, Maine, Tracey F. Weisberg, Physician Owner of the Maine Center for Cancer Medicine.

 Dr Arul Mahadevan, a radiation oncologist in Dover, New Hampshire and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Beverly Hospital and Concord Hospital, Suzanne Alisa Hoekstra, a surgeon in Portland, Maine and is affiliated with Mercy Hospital of Portland..

Laura B. Hargreaves, an oncology nurse, provides patient education on complex chemotherapy regimens, Juliette M. Cohen, an oncology nurse, provides patient and caregiver education on pain management and self care.

Elizabeth A. Mclellan, the founder and president of PWH, Ms. McLellan manages the medical missions on behalf of the PWH.