Dhaka: The rate of cervical cancer infection is highest among women aged 35 to 39, with the main cause being high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV), according to a new research report. The report was published at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Center of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) this afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Medical Education and Family Welfare Secretary Dr. Md. Sarwar Bari spoke as the chief guest, with Bangladesh Medical University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Shahinul Alam in attendance. Researchers are hopeful that the study's results will play a significant role in the development and policymaking of cervical and breast cancer screening in Bangladesh.
The study conducted an analytical examination of 3,856 women in both urban and rural settings under the leadership of BMU Professor Dr. Shirin Akhter Begum. The overall rate of HR-HPV infection was found to be 3.6 percent, affecting 138 individuals. Sylhet reported the highest prevalence at 6.4 percent, while Rajshahi had the lowest at 1.7 percent. Rural areas in Sylhet exhibited a higher prevalence rate of 7.1 percent compared to urban areas, with women aged 35 to 39 showing the highest prevalence rates.
A separate study led by BMU Associate Professor Dr. Noor-e-Ferdous in three coastal districts-Jhalokati, Cox's Bazar, and Bagerhat-assessed 900 married women, finding a 2.56 percent HR-HPV prevalence rate. Jhalokati had the highest rate at 3 percent. The study recommends the introduction of genotyping-based screening to prevent cervical cancer in the region.
Genealogist Dr. Mst. Zakanta Faika conducted a comparative study on screening methods, dividing 4,792 women into two groups to evaluate the effectiveness of Via + HPV and HPV alone. The Via + HPV method showed a positivity rate of 5.9 percent, while the HPV alone method showed 3.7 percent. The combined method had a higher detection and follow-up rate, suggesting improved screening effectiveness.
Dr. Asma Akter Sonia's pilot study on high-risk HPV testing involved 10,000 women aged 30 to 60 from two upazilas. The study found a 3.2 percent infection rate, with 1 percent having HPV type 16 and 0.2 percent having HPV type 18. The HR-HPV test exhibited high sensitivity compared to Viagra.
In breast cancer screening, Dr. Sadia Rasul's study highlighted the high sensitivity (93.3 percent) and specificity (97.6 percent) of combining clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography, emphasizing the importance of CBE in early cancer detection.
At the national level, screening activities were evaluated through e-HIS, an electronic health information system based on DHIS2, in the Rajshahi division. Under the leadership of BMU Professor Ashrafunnesa, 14,213 community clinics have utilized this platform as of April 2024. The initiative established an effective link between screening, colposcopy, and tracking, although challenges such as poor internet connectivity and national identity card limitations were noted.
Out of 60,93,224 women screened for cervical cancer, 2,05,358 tested positive, constituting 3.37 percent. The screening program has managed to cover 21 percent of the target number of women in Bangladesh.