A seminar on breast cancer awareness was held at the auditorium of Shamsunnahar Hall in Dhaka University on Monday (November 18).
Speakers at the seminar stressed creating public awareness to substantially reduce the death rate of women with breast cancer in the country.
‘Amra Nari’ and ‘Amara Nari Research and Development’ jointly arranged the seminar with the support of Dhaka University authorities.
A number of female students and female officials of Dhaka University took part in the event with the objective to raise awareness, emphasise the importance of early detection and provide preventive information.
MM Zahidur Rahman Biplob, founder and chief coordinator of ‘Aamra Nari’ and ‘Aamra Nari Research and Development; delivered the welcome speech, while Dr. Umme Humyra Kaneta, a breast cancer specialist from National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital (NICRH); presented keynote speech at the event. Dr Hasan Shahriar Kollol, an assistant professor at NICRH; also attended the event as resource person.
Dr Nasreen Sultana, provost of Shamsunnahar Hall; and Shafiuddin Ahmed, proctor of Dhaka University; were also present at the event.
Dr. Umme Humyra Kaneta in her keynote speech discussed breast cancer risk assessment, early symptom identification, and the importance of regular screenings for women. She said that performing self-exams monthly starting at age 20, and getting an annual mammogram starting at age 40, can play an effective role in breast cancer prevention.
Speakers of the event said that many patients of breast cancer do not receive any information before the awareness. They mostly receive information from physicians. Mass media should focus on raising public awareness about prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 15,000 women in Bangladesh are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, with over 7,500 losing their lives to the disease.
Many women were unable to recognise early signs due to social barriers and lack of awareness.
