Early detection can cure most forms of cancer: Experts
Most forms of cancer can be cured by early detection and be prevented by creating awareness, said cancer specialists yesterday at a book launching ceremony.
They said 33 percent of the disease could be prevented by regularly maintaining and controlling diet and leading a disciplined life and can be cured through early detection.
They were speaking at the launching of the second issue of a journal titled ‘Cancer Niontron O Protirodh Barta’, a journal for cancer control and prevention, at the city’s Birdem hospital’s auditorium.
AK Khan Healthcare Trust and Centre for Development Research, Bangladesh jointly published the journal to mark World Cancer Day.
“Cancer due to tobacco use, that is lung cancer, is the highest prevailing in the countryand is increasing day by day,” said Dr Md Syed Akram Hussain, oncology consultant at Lab Aid Hospital.
“Bangladesh is moving towards an epidemic of cancer and we need to act fast to combat it,” he said.
He suggested the government to take effective measures for the controlled use of tobacco.
Speaking as the chief guest, The Independent Editor Mahbubul Alam said steps taken for the prevention of cancer should benefit all.
He urged the government and private sector initiators to take healthcare services on cancer to the doorsteps of the poor who cannot afford treatment in Dhaka.
Mahbubul also urged the government to ensure training of doctors, nurses and technicians so they can be more helpful to patients.
Md Abdullah, advisor of AK Khan Healthcare Trust, said awareness on cancer is more important than its treatment.
Centre for Development Research Chairman Mizanur Rahman Shelley chaired the launching ceremony that was also addressed by Dr Maswoodur Rahman Prince, editor of Stethoscope, a journal of The Independent; and Dr AK Shamsuddin Khan, chairman of AK Khan Healthcare Trust.
Meanwhile, different organisations yesterday observed World Cancer Day in the country as elsewhere across the globe to raise awareness on cancer and its preventive measures.
Experts at a sit in programme in front of Faculty of Fine Arts in Dhaka University yesterday said World Health Organization statistics show 76 lakh people of the world died due to cancer in 2005, 70 percent of which are from poor and middle-income countries.
Speakers at the programme, organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon and WBB Trust, said cancer depends on food habit and environment and emphasised on controlling obesity and bodyweight.
It is possible to prevent 40 percent of cancers by avoiding tobacco, drugs, soft drinks, juice, fast food and consuming vegetable and fruits and doing physical activities like cycling, walking and exercising, they said.
Organisations’ leaders called for encouraging people to avoid unhygienic foods, controlling advertising of such foods, keeping fields and parks fit for physical activities and keeping footpaths free for smooth walking.
Centre for Cancer Prevention and Research (CCPR) also organised a daylong free camp for detection and treatment of cancer at Gazipur Cancer Hospital in Chandona Chowrasta of Gazipur.
A team from National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital led by Dr Habibullah Talukdar Ruskin, associate professor and head of cancer epidemiology, provided free consultation while relevant investigations were provided at a subsidised rate.
Dr Afroza Khanom Rumu, assistant professor at gynae oncology of NICRH; Dr Hasanuzzaman, surgical oncologist of NICRH; and Dr Yesmin Sultana were also present.
