Rally at BMU to mark National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2026

Under the slogan 'Not fear, awareness. Not delay, timely treatment', a colorful rally was held at Bangladesh Medical University BMU and a human chain and press briefing were held at the National Press Club of Dhaka on September 19, 2026, to raise awareness about childhood cancer, inform parents about the early warning signs of the disease, and encourage them to receive timely and appropriate treatment. Worldwide, a significant number of children and adolescents are affected by cancer every year. Childhood cancer is also an important public health problem in Bangladesh. If the disease is identified at an early stage and...

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Under the slogan ‘Not fear, awareness. Not delay, timely treatment’, a colorful rally was held at Bangladesh Medical University BMU and a human chain and press briefing were held at the National Press Club of Dhaka on September 19, 2026, to raise awareness about childhood cancer, inform parents about the early warning signs of the disease, and encourage them to receive timely and appropriate treatment. Worldwide, a significant number of children and adolescents are affected by cancer every year. Childhood cancer is also an important public health problem in Bangladesh. If the disease is identified at an early stage and proper treatment is started, many children have a chance to recover. But due to lack of awareness, delay in diagnosis, and various obstacles to receiving medical services, many children cannot get timely treatment. This Saturday morning, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of BMU, Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam. The meeting was presided over by Professor Dr. Afiqul Islam, President of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Society of Bangladesh. Dr. Chowdhury Shamsul Haque Kibria, General Secretary of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Society of Bangladesh, acted as the moderator. At that time, Professor Dr. Md. Atiar Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Children, BMU, Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Dr. Md. Atiar Rahman, along with teachers, physicians, residents, pediatricians and physicians from various medical colleges, members of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Society of Bangladesh, and other members of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Society of Bangladesh were present. BMU’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, in his speech, called for creating public awareness about childhood cancer. Professor Dr. Afiqul Islam, President of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Society of Bangladesh, said, “This month reminds us that cancer is not just a disease of adults: children can also be affected by this difficult disease.” The initiative to create public awareness about childhood cancer began in the United States in 1990. Later, in 2010, September was officially declared as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Its main objective was to increase people’s understanding of childhood cancer, early diagnosis, expand treatment options, encourage research, and stand by affected children and their families. Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Society of Bangladesh General Secretary Associate Professor Dr. Chowdhury Shamsul Haque Kibria called for a coordinated initiative and said that combating childhood cancer requires not only treatment, but also raising public awareness, rapid disease detection and timely treatment. If hospitals, medical colleges, medical organizations, educational institutions, media and social organizations work together, it is possible to reduce misconceptions and unnecessary fears about childhood cancer and reduce delays in receiving treatment. Other speakers said that if symptoms such as prolonged or repeated fever, abnormal paleness, bruises or abnormal bleeding on the body, bone pain, unusual weakness or sudden changes in the child’s behavior occur, it is necessary to seek medical advice without ignoring the matter. They said that the actual number of childhood cancer in Bangladesh is still not fully known. Because the country still does not have a complete national childhood cancer registration system. According to various studies and estimates, thousands of children are newly diagnosed with cancer every year. But many children’s diseases are not detected on time and many cannot even receive the necessary treatment. Late diagnosis of the disease, high cost of treatment, difficulty in reaching the medical center, limitations of necessary medicines and supportive treatment and leaving treatment incomplete – these are the major challenges in the treatment of childhood cancer in Bangladesh. Another important goal of this month in Bangladesh should be to establish a nationwide childhood cancer, namely, a conservation and registration system, expand treatment opportunities and ensure affordable and quality treatment for every child. Edited by Professor Dr. Md. Saiful Azam Ranju.