Editorial: Number of cancer patients rising alarmingly

ACCORDING to WHO, cancer today is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Anyone who has seen firsthand an ailing cancer patient knows how difficult and painful the diagnostic procedure is. In this context, it is pertinent to remember that WHO's statistics predict that in the following decades, new cases of cancer are expected to rise by about 70 percent.

In the second International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer in the capital this week, physicians and experts stated that in Bangladesh the number of cancer patients is steadily on the rise. The most common diagnosis has been of cancers in the head and neck regions: about 26,000 new cases each year. On the other hand, diagnostic facilities for these patients remain either ill-equipped or so expensive that they remain out of most people's ability to afford.

At present, we have only one state-run cancer hospital. But as the experts point out, this is not enough, even more so because there is need for better training of surgeons and doctors. The need for more and better medical facilities is further heightened because about 95 percent of the cancers of the head and neck region are curable when detected early.

Our Health Minister has promised a new 1000-bed specialised hospital, and recruitment of 10,000 nurses, which, if materialised, would be a good first step. But with that, there is an urgent need for raising awareness so that patients know when and where to seek medical help.

Given what is at stake, cancer must be given its due importance. The relevant ministries and departments must not be content with adding one more hospital; state efforts to prevent new cases, and training for healthcare workers should be a priority.