Cervical cancer the grim reaper!
Cervical cancer is the second-most common cause for female mortality after breast cancer in Bangladesh.
Around 11,956 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the country every year, and over 6,582 of them die of the disease, reveals a study of International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Child marriages, frequent birth-giving at an early age, and unhygienic lifestyle are the main reasons for cervical cancer in most of the women.
Dr Habibullah Talukder Raskin, an associate professor at the National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital said, “Middle-aged women are comparatively more exposed to be affected with cervical cancer than the old-aged. Women under the age of 35 are seen common to be affected with such a disease.”
“Women of rural and impoverished families are more prone to cervical cancer.”
Health experts say, cervical cancers are caused by infection with one of the high-risk Human papillomavirus (HPV) types. However, since not all people who are infected with HPV will develop cancer, it is likely that other factors also play roles in the development of cervical cancer.
Child marriages, frequent birth-giving at an early age, and unhygienic lifestyle are the main reasons for cervical cancer in most of the women.
Dr Habibullah Talukder Raskin, an associate professor at the National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital said, “Middle-aged women are comparatively more exposed to be affected with cervical cancer than the old-aged. Women under the age of 35 are seen common to be affected with such a disease.”
“Women of rural and impoverished families are more prone to cervical cancer.”
Health experts say, cervical cancers are caused by infection with one of the high-risk Human papillomavirus (HPV) types. However, since not all people who are infected with HPV will develop cancer, it is likely that other factors also play roles in the development of cervical cancer.
Tobacco smoking, HIV infection, immune system suppression, past or current Chlamydia infection, are the certain risk factors that have been identified to increase a woman's risk for developing cervical cancer.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal bleeding after menopause, vaginal bleeding after sex, bleeding or spotting between periods are primary signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. Symptoms may develop when the cervical cancer cells start to invade surrounding tissues.
Dr Shagufa Anwar, Chief of Communication & Business Development at United Hospital, emphasized on the need to be aware of the cancer alert signs, so that anyone can seek medical help at the soonest, as early detection can save lives in most of the cancers.
She said, “Preventative cervical screening programmes can avoid cervical cancer deaths, and provide a means of early detection. When the disease is detected early, it is highly treatable and is often associated with long survival and good quality of life outcomes.”
“To prevent, and create awareness about cancer, United Hospital launched Cancer Care Centre two years ago. It is providing training to medical physicists of the country to build a stronger, knowledgeable workforce to diagnose and treat cancer.”
“More than 150 prominent Medical Physicists and students have received training in the last two years”, she added.
When contacted, Dr Md Ehteshamul Haq Choudhury, general secretary of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) told Bangladesh Post, “Any kind of cancer as non-communicable disease is alarming. The first and foremost prevention of cancer can be early detection, and consciousness.”
“Though it is one of the fatal diseases around the world, it is now treatable to some extent. Several hospitals in the country are treating cancer successfully. The trend of patients going abroad for better treatment is not as high as previously,” he added.
The article was first published at Bangladesh Post
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