'Breast cancer takes 6,844 lives in Bangladesh every year'

Some 12,764 women are detected with breast cancer in Bangladesh 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 on Thursday urged the government to work in full capacity to raise awareness across the country about the disease.

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

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

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

Citing the IARC report, Head of the Cancer Epidemiology Division at the National Cancer Research Institute Dr Md Habibullah Talukder Ruskin said some 12,764 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Bangladesh every year and 6,844 of them succumb to the disease.

“If detected early, 90 per cent breast cancer patients have the possibility to recover with proper and complete treatment,” he said, adding that they want to create social awareness about the disease among people of all classes so that they can take steps against it.

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. “People, especially women, need to be conscious about the disease,” he said.

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, reports UNB.