The World Health Organization (WHO) cites breast cancer as being one of the top cancers affecting Bangladeshi women due to the social stigma attached to speaking about reproductive health, according to reporting from the Dhaka Tribune.
At present, there are more than 12,700 new breast cancer patients in the country and more than 6,800 deaths are attributed to the disease.
To combat social stigma, hospitals and social partners such as Inner Wheel District 345, a women’s group, are looking to build awareness around prevention and screening.
“This (social stigma) causes a lack of communication with friends and mothers about these subjects,” Mohsena Reza, chairman of Inner Wheel District 345, told the Dhaka Tribune. “The second thing we found was the unwillingness to go to a doctor and be examined if they found a lump or something not right with their breasts. This taboo is the reason for many premature deaths from breast cancer.”
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As a senior news writer for TriMed, Subrata covers cardiology, clinical innovation and healthcare business. She has a master’s degree in communication management and 12 years of experience in journalism and public relations.