Chattogram: Men's perspectives and mindsets are crucial in breast cancer prevention, according to Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain, who stressed the importance of collective efforts to raise awareness on the matter. Dr. Hossain made the remarks at a press conference held at a city restaurant to conclude a month-long Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Mayor highlighted the variable nature of breast cancer treatment, which depends on whether the disease has metastasized. He noted that late-stage detection significantly reduces survival chances and complicates treatment, which is often costly. He emphasized the importance of men's sympathetic perspectives and the role of societal attitudes in supporting awareness initiatives.
The Mayor pointed out that globally, one in eight women is at risk of developing breast cancer. Early detection, however, offers a 95 to 100 percent cure rate. In Bangladesh, conservative social norms often deter women from discussing their breast health, further complicating early diagnosis efforts.
A month-long awareness event was organized by CSCR, a private medical service institution, and PGS Academia, a postgraduate surgical education and training institution, with support from the Chattogram City Corporation. The event saw 702 individuals register for early breast cancer detection at CSCR Hospital. Of these, 451 received free consultations, leading to the identification of 12 new breast cancer cases, involving women aged between 25 and 72.
The Mayor underscored the campaign's aim to involve the entire society in elevating awareness about this significant health issue.