Contain cancer before it’s too late
A RECENTLY published research paper titled “The Global Burden of Cancer-2013” stated that a growing number of Bangladeshi women are affected by breast cancer and men by oral cancer, besides most man and woman are dying from liver cancer. It highlighted cancer as a growing global concern that need to be effectively addressed immediately to save human species. A global drive to tackle the causes of cancer linked to lifestyle has been underscored by World Health Organisation as it feared that the number of new cases could soar 70 percent to nearly 25 million a year over the next 20 years. Cancer is becoming a plague in Bangladesh with nearly three lakh people being affected by the disease and two lakh of them dying every year. Cancer treatment is very costly so there is a growing consensus that the government should take responsibility of the treatment while vigorous public awareness campaign must be launched to change people’s lifestyle. As most case histories show that they are related to reckless habits.
The research outcome reported by a national daily on Saturday said that the number of deadly oral cancer affected men has doubled over the last 23 years. It was about 15,000 in 2013 as against 8,800 in 1990. In the meantime, the number of breast cancer patients has increased to 16,500 from 4,400 during the same time. The research conducted by a consortium of researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle revealed that some 13,300 people died of liver cancer in 2013 while the number was only 5,800 in 1990.
Another study has detected deadly habit of taking betel nuts with betel leaves mixed with tobacco additives and smoking as the main causes of oral cancer. In our country, people are generally unaware that betel nut consumption can cause oral cancer. Cancer experts say that if oral cancer is detected and treated early, survival rate stands high. Breast cancer is a threat to women all over the world. Its cause can be both hereditary and environmental. The exact cause of breast cancer — what causes breast cells to start to grow out of control — is still not known. And to get cure from liver cancer, early detection is the best way that could be achieved if awareness among urban and rural people could develop breaking the social taboo.
The FY 2015-16 Budget is set to be announced shortly. The growing cost of cancer treatment in Bangladesh demands more health budget for cancer patients. Moreover, more government steps need to be mobilized to remove health hazards and chemically tainted food and fruits that cause cancer to spread. Mass awareness must be on top including greater realization in health sector bosses about the growing menace of cancer in the society. Action must be quick to equip existing public hospitals with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic facilities at low price. Moreover the government should upgrade testing laboratory facilities at all levels to scan food, fruits, drug and such other items in the market to reduce its chance to cause cancer. There can’t be any flexibility to face the dreaded disease.
The research outcome reported by a national daily on Saturday said that the number of deadly oral cancer affected men has doubled over the last 23 years. It was about 15,000 in 2013 as against 8,800 in 1990. In the meantime, the number of breast cancer patients has increased to 16,500 from 4,400 during the same time. The research conducted by a consortium of researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle revealed that some 13,300 people died of liver cancer in 2013 while the number was only 5,800 in 1990.
Another study has detected deadly habit of taking betel nuts with betel leaves mixed with tobacco additives and smoking as the main causes of oral cancer. In our country, people are generally unaware that betel nut consumption can cause oral cancer. Cancer experts say that if oral cancer is detected and treated early, survival rate stands high. Breast cancer is a threat to women all over the world. Its cause can be both hereditary and environmental. The exact cause of breast cancer — what causes breast cells to start to grow out of control — is still not known. And to get cure from liver cancer, early detection is the best way that could be achieved if awareness among urban and rural people could develop breaking the social taboo.
The FY 2015-16 Budget is set to be announced shortly. The growing cost of cancer treatment in Bangladesh demands more health budget for cancer patients. Moreover, more government steps need to be mobilized to remove health hazards and chemically tainted food and fruits that cause cancer to spread. Mass awareness must be on top including greater realization in health sector bosses about the growing menace of cancer in the society. Action must be quick to equip existing public hospitals with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic facilities at low price. Moreover the government should upgrade testing laboratory facilities at all levels to scan food, fruits, drug and such other items in the market to reduce its chance to cause cancer. There can’t be any flexibility to face the dreaded disease.
