Experts say stigma delays breast cancer care, call for early diagnosis

Social stigma and hesitation often delay breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr FM Siddiqui said yesterday (10 October), urging women to seek medical advice without delay as early detection significantly improves the chances of recovery.

"Breast cancer is a major challenge to women's health in Bangladesh and across the world. Thousands of women in the country are diagnosed with the disease every year. However, the chances of recovery are much higher when it is detected at an early stage and treated appropriately," he said.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion marking the 14th Breast Cancer Awareness Day, focusing on the global and national breast cancer situation and ways to address existing challenges.

Titled "Analysis of the Global and National Situation of Breast Cancer and Ways Forward", the discussion was held at 10am at Dr Milon Hall of BMU in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum and BMU's Department of Clinical Oncology jointly organised the event.

Professor Dr Syed Akram Hossain, chairman of BMU's Department of Clinical Oncology, said Bangladesh's capacity to provide cancer care and patients' access to treatment remained limited.

He said raising awareness and ensuring early diagnosis could help make more effective use of the country's limited healthcare resources while enabling more patients to receive treatment.

Cancer specialist Professor Dr Habibullah Talukder Raskin called for stronger government efforts to expand cancer care services and improve access to treatment for disadvantaged patients, including at private hospitals.

He said recent statements by government leaders and health ministry officials emphasising disease prevention in policymaking and planning were encouraging.

Dr Raskin also urged affluent individuals to establish nonprofit cancer hospitals to help people who cannot afford the high cost of treatment.

The discussion brought together public health experts, oncologists and representatives of organisations working on cancer awareness and healthcare.

Participants included Dr Halida Hanum Akhter, a faculty member at Johns Hopkins University and public health expert; Professor Dr Sabera Khatun, founding chairman of BMU's Department of Gynaecological Oncology; and Professor Dr Jannatul Ferdous, the department's current chairman.

Following the discussion, participants joined a pink procession from Shahbagh to Karwan Bazar and distributed leaflets to raise public awareness about breast cancer.

The Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum has observed the day annually on 10 October since 2013 as a private initiative, highlighting the importance of awareness, early diagnosis, and access to treatment.