A scientific seminar on cervical cancer held in Rangpur on Tuesday. Photo: BSS

 
RANGPUR, Jan 29, 2025 (BSS) – Experts at a daylong seminar have stressed the need to create widespread public awareness to defeat cervical cancer.  

Early detection and subsequent proper treatment have been proven to prevent this fatal disease.
 
They expressed the view at a scientific seminar titled ‘Elimination of cervical cancer. The progress made and what more needs to be done’ at the Prime Medical College and Hospital, Rangpur (PMCHR) auditorium on Tuesday.
 
The Obstetric and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB) organised the seminar with the theme ‘Empowering Prevention and Early Detection’ marking the ‘Celebration of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and Vaccination Campaign’ in the city.
 
Prime Medical College Principal Professor Dr Nur Islam attended the event as the chief guest with OGSB Rangpur Branch President Professor Dr Shahi Farzana Tasmin in the chair.
 
Past-President of OGSB Rangpur Branch Professor Dr Azizul Islam, Director of Prime Medical College Hospital Brigadier General (Retired) Professor Dr Golam Rasul, and Past-Presidents of OGSB Rangpur Branch Professor Dr Laila Husna Banu, Professor Dr Ferdousi Sultana and Professor Dr Sharmin Sultana Lucky addressed the seminar. 
 
The seminar informed that five crore women in the country are at risk of cervical cancer. 
 
To overcome this, women aged nine to 20 years should take one or two doses of cervical cancer vaccine and women aged 21 to 45 years should take two doses of cervical cancer vaccine. 
 
The experts said that cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women in Bangladesh. Early diagnosis and on time complete treatment can greatly reduce the suffering and mortality caused by this disease.
 
They said that ignorance, child marriage, early childbearing, early initiation of sexual activity and some other related problems have so far been identified as risk factors for the disease.
 
Professor Dr Shahi Farzana Tasmin said that once cervical cells become malignant, early detection of malignant disease is important to prevent mortality and reduce morbidity. 
 
“Since cervical cancer is asymptomatic until it reaches its advanced stages, the only way to detect cervical cancer at an early stage is through regular screening of women,” she said.
 
The chief guest said preventive cervical screening programmes can prevent cervical cancer deaths and provide a means of early detection. 
 
“If the disease is detected earlier, it is highly treatable and associated with longer survival and better quality of life outcomes," he said, and emphasized on creating adequate awareness to make Bangladesh free from cervical cancer by 2030. 
 
Later, he inaugurated a vaccination programme to prevent cervical cancer.