WHO supports early detection and control of cervical and breast cancer in Bangladesh

WHO supports the Government to train health workers across the country for strengthening early detection and control of cervical and breast cancer, the most common types of cancer among women in Bangladesh. In 2018, breast cancer accounted for 12764 new cases and 6846 deaths while cervical cancer, the second most common type of cancer of female in Bangladesh, affected 8068 women and caused 5214 deaths (Globocan, 2018).

WHO Bangladesh/ C. Bercaru

Cervical cancer is mostly caused by the sexually-transmitted diseases caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common viral infections of the reproductive tract. Although most infections with HPV resolve spontaneously and cause no symptoms, persistent infection can cause cervical cancer in women.

“Prevention, screening, early detection, diagnosis and treatment holds the key to reduce mortality rate from cervical and breast cancer in Bangladesh. Spreading community awareness is critical part of strategy to control these cancers”, says Dr. Bhupinder Aulakh, WHO Deputy Representative of Bangladesh Country Office and Team Leader, Maternal and Child Health Unit.

Due to the late stage at diagnosis and inadequate management facilities, the mortality rate from cervical cancer is still high in Bangladesh, therefore, diagnosis and intervention at early stages are crucial for a proper management plan to address the disease.

“When diagnosed in pre-cancerous form, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. Screening and treatment of pre-cancer lesions in women of 30 years and above is a cost-effective way to prevent cervical cancer,” says Dr. Mahbuba Khan, WHO National Professional Officer, Making Pregnancy Safer.
WHO Bangladesh/ C. Bercaru

In this regard, the Government has implemented cervical and breast cancer screening programs at the district level that are now scaled up towards the upazila level to ensure wider coverage of screening and linkage to treatment.

For breast cancer screening, Bangladesh adopted the clinical breast examination (CBE) method while for cervical cancer the method is the visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid (VIA), a simple and low-cost method, feasible in low resource settings that allows rapid training for the providers. 

Currently, 271 upazila health complexes (UHC) have established VIA and CBE centers in all districts of Bangladesh and the current training is equipping senior staff nurses from 14 additional UHCs located in 7 districts to conduct screening.

“WHO recommends a comprehensive approach to cervical cancer prevention and control. The recommended set of actions must consider interventions across the life course, including components from community education, social mobilization, vaccination, screening, treatment, and palliative care,” added Dr. Khan.

WHO continues supporting the Government of Bangladesh to strengthen cancer control activities in the country that will help to reduce the burden of morbidity, disability, and death from this disease.