Doctors urge timely treatment as breast cancer rises sharply in Rangpur

Breast cancer cases in Rangpur are increasing at an alarming rate, with 102 out of 267 cancer patients who underwent surgery in the last five months diagnosed with the disease, doctors at Rangpur Medical College (RMC) said Thursday.

“Many women are dying because they do not receive timely treatment,” doctors said at a seminar titled “Awareness on Breast Cancer” organized by RMC’s Surgery Department at Lecture Gallery-1.

Dr. Samiha Tasnim Munmun, consultant of the Surgery Department, presented hospital data showing that from April to September this year, 1,137 patients visited RMC’s Breast Clinic with breast problems.

Among them, 54 were diagnosed with breast cancer where 42 in advanced stages (stage 3 or 4).

“Among 267 cancer patients who underwent surgery, 37.74% had breast cancer, 24.42% had stomach cancer, 21.9% had colon cancer, and 15.54% had rectal cancer,” Dr. Munmun said.

She urged the public to increase awareness at the grassroots level about early screening and timely treatment to prevent breast cancer deaths.

Principal of RMC Professor Dr. Nazrul Islam attended the seminar as chief guest while Vice Principal Professor Dr. Anwar Hossain presided over the seminar.

The seminar highlighted that RMC has been awarded by the government for ranking third in the country in electronic data tracking and population-based cervical and breast cancer screening programs.

Earlier in the day, a rally was held around the college campus to raise public awareness.