Awareness and understanding of breast cancer

Some 12,764 women are detected with breast cancer in Bangladesh every year, and 6,844 of them die of the disease, according to a report of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It highlights the fact that women hesitate to get their breasts checked for reasons of modesty and the idea of social stigma attached. As a result, they only get to know about the issue when it is too late. We must remember that it is not about any stigma, but rather about care and protection. Breast diseases, especially breast cancer is not a gynaecological problem. Also, as most women feel more comfortable seeking female/gynae physicians for anything related to discomfort in the breast, many things go undetected for long because the issue takes time to reach the right kind of specialist.

We have no alternatives other than making women conscious of breast cancer. They must be encouraged to start caring for their health and put a stop to the awful stereotypes that are proving to be destructive to their health. They must be inspired to go above societal taboos when it comes to something as serious as breast cancer. Moreover, as a society, we need to break the taboo of talking about breast diseases. Women do not feel comfortable in talking about these and men like the husbands, brothers and such are not comfortable listening either. As early detection and intervention are key to successfully eliminating breast cancer, the authorities concerned should launch awareness programmes in this regard.

Afroza Sheikh,

Dania, Dhaka,

[email protected]