A breast cancer awareness programme was held on Saturday bringing together healthcare professionals, survivors and the female entrepreneur community to spread awareness about one of the most prevalent forms of cancer affecting women globally.
Women鈥檚 platform Power of She organised the programme at Riddhi Gallery in the capital aiming at educating the female entrepreneur community about early detection, prevention, and treatment options for breast cancer.
The programme also offered a space for breast cancer survivors to share their stories and free screening options where the attendees received breast exams training and clinical breast exams.
Power of She project chief Sabina Sabi delivered her welcome speech while National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Dhaka assistant professor Hasan Shahriar Kallol, Sarkari Kormochari Hospital radiology and imaging department head Mariyam Sultana and National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital surgical oncology department resident Umme Humyra Kaneta spoke at the programme.
Referring to experts, Sabina said that approximately 7,000 women died each year of breast cancer in the country, with an average of 19 deaths per day.
She mentioned that although the entire month of October was dedicated to breast cancer awareness, the programme was organised in September to bring together the entrepreneur community and reduce their mental stress for past three months鈥� unrest situation for the student-led mess uprising and flash flood.
The organisers and attendees observed a one-minute silence paying tribute to the victims of the movement.
Kallol said that there was a 90 per cent chance of recovery for the patient if breast cancer could be detected at an early stage.
鈥楢wareness about breast cancer along with treatment is essential for complete recovery,鈥� stated the doctor.
There exists a stigma surrounding breast cancer in the society and awareness can help to break the existing taboo, mentioned Kallol.
Breast cancer survivor and an entrepreneur Raina Mahmud said that a breast cancer patient suffered physically, mentally and economically for the disease.
She also urged the authorities to take steps to reduce breast cancer treatment costs in the country.