Cancer has evolved into a pressing health crisis, with the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics revealing that the nation witnesses an average of 458 new cancer diagnoses daily. Shockingly, 319 lives are lost to cancer each day, underscoring the inadequacies in the current treatment infrastructure.
The WHO identifies at least 32 types of cancer prevalent in the country, emphasizing the need for robust and accessible treatment options. The chronic nature of cancer demands lengthy treatment processes, imposing exorbitant costs that often deter underprivileged individuals from pursuing a complete cure.
Wealthier cancer patients frequently seek treatment abroad due to a lack of confidence in local institutions. As of World Cancer Day on 4 February, WHO’s estimates for 185 countries, including Bangladesh, highlight the escalating global burden of cancer.
Public health experts link the surge in cancer cases to increased life expectancy, underscoring the risks associated with diseases like cancer, diabetes, chronic lung conditions, cardiovascular issues, and kidney problems. According to Professor Parveen Shahida Akhtar, president of the medical oncology society in Bangladesh, dietary habits, tobacco use, air pollution, and early marriages contribute to the rising trend of cancer.
Cancer Statistics in Bangladesh: WHO reports a staggering 167,256 cancer diagnoses annually, with a higher prevalence among males. The annual death toll from cancer reaches 116,598, again with more male fatalities. Currently, there are over 346,000 active cancer cases in the country.
Esophageal cancer tops the list of prevalent cancers, affecting more men, while breast cancer is more common among women. Unfortunately, esophageal cancer leads to more deaths, exacerbating the urgency for comprehensive cancer care.
Lamentably, the absence of disease-specific surveys in Bangladesh hinders accurate statistical analysis. The reliance on WHO estimates underscores the imperative for local research initiatives to address the cancer epidemic.
Inadequate Treatment Facilities: Cancer specialists emphasize the need for integrated hospitals equipped with specialists in medicine, surgery, and radio-oncology. Moarraf Hossain, former director of the National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital, stresses the necessity of at least 170 cancer centers in Bangladesh for optimal treatment. However, the current count stands at a mere 22, predominantly located in the capital, Dhaka.
The national cancer institute, a 500-bed facility, is perpetually overwhelmed, leading to prolonged waiting times for specialized therapies and surgeries. The plight of patients is exemplified by a breast cancer patient from Kurigram, highlighting the broken radiotherapy equipment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital.
The exorbitant costs and lack of confidence in the local healthcare system prompt many to seek treatment abroad. Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen acknowledges this lack of trust and aims to restore public confidence by enhancing the domestic treatment infrastructure. The urgency for a paradigm shift in cancer care is now more critical than ever.
