Over 100,000 people die from cancer-related causes each year in Bangladesh

Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain has informed Parliament that around 167,000 new cancer cases are detected annually in Bangladesh, while over 100,000 people die from cancer-related causes each year.

Responding to a question from BNP MP of reserved woman seat Sanjida Yasmeen, the minister cited the GLOBOCAN 2022 report of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) which estimates that 316,417 people in Bangladesh are living with cancer or undergoing treatment, based on five-year prevalence data, reports UNB.

The minister said breast and cervical cancers are the most common among women while lung cancer and cancers of the mouth and lips are the most prevalent among men in the country.

To determine the actual number of cancer patients and develop a reliable national database, the government is operating both Population-Based Cancer Registry (PBCR) and Hospital-Based Cancer Registry programmes through the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), he said.

Sakhawat Husain also outlined several measures taken to ensure better treatment for cancer patients.

He said the government is implementing a project to establish 100-bed comprehensive cancer treatment units at eight divisional government medical college hospitals.

These units will expand access to radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgical oncology services at the divisional level.

The minister said the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital in Mohakhali, Dhaka, is continuing its role as the country's principal specialised institution for cancer treatment and research.

Efforts are also underway to increase its bed capacity and improve infrastructure, he added.

Besides, chemotherapy drugs and other essential treatment materials are being supplied regularly to government medical college hospitals and other specialised hospitals for cancer patients, he added.