Nearly 2.0m suffer from cancer

It is quite alarming that around 2.0 million people in Bangladesh are battling cancer. Every year, a whopping total of 200,000 more patients are added to this number. Around 150,000 die from the disease every year.

The statistics were revealed at a seminar titled 'Cancer Awareness Month, Media Orientation' at the Press Club on September 30.

A number of healthcare professionals also pointed out that 23.90 per cent patients, among the males, have digestive tract and stomach cancer, 22.90 per cent have throat cancer and 15.90 per cent have lung cancer.

Among females, 16.90 per cent suffer from breast cancer, 15.60 per cent have uterus cancer and 11.90 per cent suffer from digestive tract and stomach cancer.

A gynaecological specialist at the seminar said women are at higher risk of cancer in the country compared to the men. Around 58.7 million women in Bangladesh are facing the risk of getting caught in cancer.

These are very alarming statistics. Preventing cancer is much better than curing it. Living healthy and maintaining a routine in life can prevent cancer. It has been found in several researches on cancer that oily and sugar-based foods increase the risks of cancer. People need to be more active in their daily lives. They need to stick to the basics of taking healthy and nutritious food.

Also, male patients should give up smoking and alcohol. Both these habits have been linked on several occasions with different kinds of cancer.

Hopefully, the above statistics will wake people up to the realities as is faced by the country and the people will accordingly change their lifestyle

positively.

Akibul Javed

Indira Road, Dhaka