Treatment of cancer

Cancer patients belonging to low-income groups are appallingly deprived of the treatment of the disease

Some cancer specialists at a seminar in Rajshahi Wednesday reveal that around 1.5 lakh people die of cancer every year in the country, while nearly two lakh people are attacked by the deadly disease. Quoting the World Health Organisation (WHO), they also mentioned there are about 12 lakh cancer patients in the country. Consumption of adulterated food, excessive drinking of alcoholic substance, smoking and environmental pollution are the main causes of cancer. Adulteration of food items is rampant in our country. Consumption of these food items sometimes causes stomach cancer.

Early marriage, frequent childbirths, depriving children of breastfeeding and unhygienic practices during menstruation cause breast and cervical cancers among women, while smoking, chewing tobacco leaves and living in unhygienic environment cause lung, oral and laryngeal cancers among men.  Facility for treatment of cancer is quite inadequate in the country. The treatment, mostly available only in Dhaka, too is costly and inaccessible even for those belonging to middle-income groups. Cancer patients belonging to low-income groups are appallingly deprived of the treatment of the disease. Treatment of the disease at public hospitals does not raise much hope. Early detection can help treatment of the disease but due to lack of awareness many people suffer from the disease silently. When they go to doctors or hospitals it is too late.

Affluent people can go abroad for proper treatment of the disease but the poor ones have to embrace untimely death. The National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital does not have adequate beds and equipment for treatment of the disease. It is heartening that the 150-bed cancer hospital will be promoted to 300-bed one to facilitate treatment of patients. Besides, modern equipments needed for the treatment of the disease would be imported. But promotion and import of equipments will not serve the purpose. Government should take measures for increasing the number of oncologists (cancer specialists) and expert technicians for operating the equipments for the benefit of the patients.

 A significant proportion of cancers can be cured by surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, especially if they are detected early. Early detection, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment including pain relief and palliative care, help increase cancer survival rates and reduce suffering. Cost of chemotherapy should be brought within the financial capacity of the average patients. Besides, creation of public awareness can help prevent and treatment of the disease.

 

Treatment of cancer

Cancer patients belonging to low-income groups are appallingly deprived of the treatment of the disease

Some cancer specialists at a seminar in Rajshahi Wednesday reveal that around 1.5 lakh people die of cancer every year in the country, while nearly two lakh people are attacked by the deadly disease. Quoting the World Health Organisation (WHO), they also mentioned there are about 12 lakh cancer patients in the country. Consumption of adulterated food, excessive drinking of alcoholic substance, smoking and environmental pollution are the main causes of cancer. Adulteration of food items is rampant in our country. Consumption of these food items sometimes causes stomach cancer. Early marriage, frequent childbirths, depriving children of breastfeeding and unhygienic practices during menstruation cause breast and cervical cancers among women, while smoking, chewing tobacco leaves and living in unhygienic environment cause lung, oral and laryngeal cancers among men. Facility for treatment of cancer is quite inadequate in the country. The treatment, mostly available only in Dhaka, too is costly and inaccessible even for those belonging to middle-income groups. Cancer patients belonging to low-income groups are appallingly deprived of the treatment of the disease. Treatment of the disease at public hospitals does not raise much hope. Early detection can help treatment of the disease but due to lack of awareness many people suffer from the disease silently. When they go to doctors or hospitals it is too late. Affluent people can go abroad for proper treatment of the disease but the poor ones have to embrace untimely death. The National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital does not have adequate beds and equipment for treatment of the disease. It is heartening that the 150-bed cancer hospital will be promoted to 300-bed one to facilitate treatment of patients. Besides, modern equipments needed for the treatment of the disease would be imported. But promotion and import of equipments will not serve the purpose. Government should take measures for increasing the number of oncologists (cancer specialists) and expert technicians for operating the equipments for the benefit of the patients. A significant proportion of cancers can be cured by surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, especially if they are detected early. Early detection, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment including pain relief and palliative care, help increase cancer survival rates and reduce suffering. Cost of chemotherapy should be brought within the financial capacity of the average patients. Besides, creation of public awareness can help prevent and treatment of the disease.