World Cancer Day Observed
Screening can cut cancer
Say experts
Eminence, an NGO, forms a human chain before Jatiya Press Club in the city yesterday on the occasion of World Cancer Day with a call to establish a globe free from the killer disease.Photo: STAR
"Cancer was detected in my body almost 28 years back. I could have died. But I am still alive. It has been possible only for my desire to live. And I was confident that I would not be defeated by the cancer." It was the country's senior lawyer Barrister Rafiqul Haq reflecting on his years of experience with the deadly disease in front a large audience at Rabindra Sarobor in the city's Dhanmondi yesterday. The audience including cancer survivors, relatives of departed cancer victims and experts who had gathered to exchange their feelings and experiences with cancer at an open discussion programme titled, "Let's Talk Cancer". Eminence Bangladesh, a non-government organization, City Bank Limited and DHL, a German-based logistics company providing international express mail services, jointly arranged the programme to observe World Cancer Day in the country. The participants opined that cancer is curable if it is detected at its primary stage. But survivors need to have confidence in living a long life. Nahid Jahan Lina, a cancer survivor and journalist working at a private television channel, told the open discussion that despite being diagnosed at the early stages of the disease a number of patients succumb to death only due to lack of proper treatment in the country. Mentioning her case, Lina said many patients' cancer revive because of wrong treatment even after early detection. Professor Dr Arup Ratan Chowdhury, founder director of Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse (MANASH) said that avoiding tobacco, alcohol, junk food and red meat can prevent cancer. "If someone avoids such items today, s/he actually grabs the chance of living a cancer free life from the day." Film star and Nirapad Sarak Chai Chairman Ilias Kanchan, singer Agun, Prof AKM Rafique Uddin, Tahmina Gaffar, chairman of Oprajita, among others, spoke on the occasion. Different organisations observed World Cancer Day in the country as elsewhere across the globe to raise awareness about cancer and its preventive measures. Meanwhile, Centre for Cancer Prevention and Research (CCPR) organised a cancer screening programme at Bangladesh National Museum for the museum's staff on the occasion of the World Cancer Day. Dr Habibullah Talukder, head of the cancer epidemiology at National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, presented the key-note paper at the event. About 20 women were screened for breast cancer, says a CCPR press release.
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