Photo: Freepik

DHAKA, March 27, 2025 (BSS) - As the incidence of uterine cancer is increasing in Bangladesh, medical experts say regular health checkup after marriage and maintaining health hygiene women can easily save them from becoming victim of this deadly disease.

A recent research shows that, nearly 11,000 women die of uterine cancer annually in Bangladesh, while about five crore females are at risk to be affected by the disease. The research conducted by a team of uterine cancer experts shows that the illiterate and sex workers are at the great risk of the disease.

Uterine cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in women and is increasing in prevalence across the world. 

Health experts say cancer is a global problem accounting for almost 13 percent of all deaths worldwide. This equates to over seven million people a year, more than is caused by HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria combined. The most frequent cancer among women in Africa, Asia, and South America with an estimated incidence of 528,000 per year with 266,000 annual uterus cancer deaths.

They say although there is effective screening for cervical cancer, it continues to be a healthcare problem in developing countries where effective screening programmes are limited.

According to another survey, conducted by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), around 5.28 lakh women are affected by uterus cancer every year in the world. Of them, around 2.66 lakh women lose their lives due to the cancer. Besides, around 83,000 women of develop countries are affected by the disease every year afresh. Of them, around 26,000 women die due to the cancer. 

Another survey of National Cancer Registration in 2014 reveals that the percentage of uterine cancer in women is 17.9 in the country. One woman among five are suffering from uterine cancer.

Doctors say HPV virus is mostly responsible for the uterine cancer. But a woman could get relief from the disease after taking vaccine. They can take the vaccine from nine to 40 years. Besides, every woman should go for Pap test in every two years.

Cancer specialist Professor Dr Md Habibullha Talukder said shyness, hesitation, family status and ignorance of own body are pushing the female’s toward the deadly cancer disease.

“We need to know about the reproductive health,” he said, adding that the woman should go for regular health checkup after marriage. Besides, they need to be more aware about their health, he added.

Gynaecologist Professor Dr Sultana Razia Begum said the women mostly suffer from uterus cancer for seven reasons including unsafe sex, early marriage, smoking or consuming tobacco and giving birth to more children.

 “The disease can be turned into an epidemic form, if necessary steps are not taken in this regard,” she added.

Senior gynaecologist Dr Monowara Begum said those males who are engaged in sex with a number of women can spread papilloma virus to other women as a carrier of the virus. And in many cases, that man also could be attacked by genital cancer,” she added.

Many women die of cancer, but their families do not know the reason for their death, she said, adding many women, being ashamed, hide the primary signs of uterus cancer and do not want to examine. As a result, they are attacked by uterus cancer gradually.

The doctor said only proper education on sex and reproductive health as well as awareness can keep the country’s womenfolk free from uterus cancer.

“For this, spearheading a campaign by the government and non-government organisations in both urban and rural areas is very much essential,” she opined.