Childhood cancer drive calls for faster diagnosis, treatment
Doctors and health advocates on Saturday called for coordinated efforts by hospitals, medical colleges, physicians, educational institutions, media and social organisations to improve awareness, early detection and timely treatment of childhood cancer in Bangladesh.
They made the call at a rally, human chain and press briefing organised by the Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Society of Bangladesh (PHOSB) to mark National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2026. Under the slogan “No fear, awareness; no delay, timely treatment”, PHOSB organised a rally on the Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) campus before holding the human chain and press briefing at the National Press Club on Saturday. BMU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Md Nazrul Islam inaugurated the programmes as the chief guest.
PHOSB President Professor Dr Afiqul Islam chaired the inaugural session, while its General Secretary Associate Professor Dr Chowdhury Samsul Hoque Kibria moderated it.
Speaking at the event, Professor Dr Md Nazrul Islam called for greater public awareness about childhood cancer.
Professor Dr Afiqul Islam said September served as a reminder that cancer was not only an adult disease and that children could also develop the serious condition.
He said initiatives to raise awareness about childhood cancer began in the United States in 1990, while September was officially declared Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in 2010. The main objectives of observing the month are to increase public understanding of childhood cancer, promote early detection, expand access to treatment, encourage research and support affected children and their families, he said. Dr Chowdhury Shamsul Haque Kibria stressed the need for a coordinated approach to childhood cancer.
“Alongside treatment, we need to increase public awareness, ensure early detection and bring children under treatment without delay,” he said.
He said coordinated efforts involving hospitals, medical colleges, medical organisations, educational institutions, media and social organisations could reduce misconceptions and unnecessary fear about childhood cancer and help minimise delays in seeking treatment.
Other speakers urged parents to seek medical advice promptly if children develop prolonged or recurrent fever, unusual paleness, unexplained bruising or abnormal bleeding, bone pain, unusual weakness or sudden behavioural changes.
They said Bangladesh still lacked a comprehensive national childhood cancer registry, making it difficult to determine the exact number of children affected by the disease.
Citing various studies and estimates, the speakers said thousands of children were newly diagnosed with cancer every year. However, many cases remained undetected in time and many children failed to receive the treatment they needed, they said.
The speakers identified delayed diagnosis, high treatment costs, difficulties in reaching treatment centres, limited availability of medicines and supportive care, and treatment abandonment as major challenges.
They called for a nationwide childhood cancer registration system, expanded treatment facilities and affordable, quality treatment for every child.
