BRAC University hosts awareness seminar on prostate cancer
BRAC University's School of Pharmacy organised a seminar, poster presentations, and a quiz competition on its Merul Badda campus in Dhaka today (11 September) to raise awareness about prostate cancer and highlight the importance of early diagnosis.
The BRAC University Pharma Society co-organised the event with support from the Office of Co-Curricular Activities and Everest Pharmaceuticals Ltd, marking Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Dr Arman Reza Chowdhury, Senior Consultant, Radiation Oncology at Evercare Hospital, delivered the keynote address. He explained that prostate cancer ranks as the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men worldwide after lung cancer, accounting for 14.2 percent of newly diagnosed male cases in 2022. He added that cases are gradually rising in South Asia.
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Chowdhury emphasized the importance of routine screenings for men aged 45–50 and outlined risk factors, including age, family history, diet, obesity, and lifestyle. He noted that prostate cancer usually grows slowly and patients can live long, healthy lives with timely treatment.
He also highlighted the role of pharmacists in treatment, from ensuring correct use of medication to managing side effects, conducting research, and bridging communication between patients and doctors. He praised the quality of treatment in Bangladesh, noting that several pharmaceutical companies now market affordable prostate cancer drugs locally.
BRAC University Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar urged people to pursue regular health check-ups and approach men's health issues openly. "Not everything is possible with health insurance alone. We need awareness and more programmes like this to prevent disease," he said.
Acting Dean of the School of Pharmacy, AFM Yusuf Haider, emphasised that hospitals need skilled medical physicists and advanced equipment, and noted the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence in healthcare. He also encouraged students to maintain healthy diets.
By challenging stereotypes and promoting education on men's health, BRAC University advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and 4 (Quality Education).
