RAJSHAHI, Nov 24, 2018 (BSS) – The women patients suffering from breast cancer need timely and properly preventive measures to thwart dire consequence caused by the disease, speakers said here today.
They viewed breast cancer is the foremost cause of cancer related mortality of women in developing countries like Bangladesh. So, early detection and subsequent proper treatment is very important to prevent cervical and breast cancers.
The observations came at a seminar titled “Breast Cancer Awareness” held at Rajshahi Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (RCHRC) in the city. RCHRC and Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum organized the seminar to mark the breast cancer awareness day.
Earlier on, large number of volunteers and members of various civil societies took out a rally and paraded city streets. They also distributed leaflets as part of the campaign to help people learn about how to combat this threat.
Department Head of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital Prof Shahela Jeshmin, Gynecologist Dr Selima Haque and Member Secretary of RCHRC Dr Patric Bipul Biswash addressed the seminar.
During his keynote presentation, Dr Habibullah Talukder, Associate Professor of National Cancer Institute in Dhaka, said awareness of prevention, early detection and screening is necessary to reduce premature mortality from breast cancer, the leading cause of deaths among all female cancer patients.
The sufferings caused by the disease alongside the rate of mortality and morbidity could be reduced to a greater extent through early detection and timely and full-course treatment.
He, however, said wide-ranging creation of mass awareness could be the effective means of addressing the social burden. Every woman should check her breasts in the prescribed manner every month and if she suspects anything unusual, she should see a doctor right away.
If breast cancer can be detected early, the patient has better chances at having a normal life. She has to take follow-up treatment timely and do necessary check-ups.
However, prevention should be the primary objective. Breastfeeding is one thing that both mother and child can be benefitted from, which is why campaigners will motivate mothers to breastfeed their offspring to protect themselves from cancer, Dr Talukder added.