The 14th Breast Cancer Awareness Day was celebrated to raise awareness about breast cancer and highlight the importance of early diagnosis. On this occasion, Saturday 10 October 2026 at 10 am, a dialogue titled “Analysis of the global and national situation of breast cancer and ways to overcome it” was held at Dr. Milon Hall of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU). Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum and BMU’s Clinical Oncology Department jointly organized this. After the dialogue, a pink procession and awareness leaflets were distributed from Shahbag to Karwan Bazar. Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum has been celebrating the day on 10 October every year as a private initiative since 2013. Speaking as the chief guest, BMU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. FM Siddiqui said, “Breast cancer is a major challenge for the health of women around the world, including Bangladesh. Every year, thousands of women in the country are affected by this disease. However, if detected at an early stage, the chances of cure through proper treatment are much higher. He urged people to overcome their shame and hesitation and seek medical advice on time.” BMU Clinical Oncology Department Chairman Professor Dr. Syed Akram Hossain said, he has been associated with the activities of the Breast Cancer Awareness Forum for a long time. There are limitations in the capacity and opportunities for cancer treatment in the country. In this situation, it is possible to ensure medical services to a larger number of patients by increasing awareness and diagnosing the disease at an early stage by using the existing limited resources more effectively. Professor Habibullah Talukder said that the issue of formulating policies and plans by prioritizing disease prevention is coming up in the speeches of the head of government and the responsible persons of the Ministry of Health, which is promising. He expected the government to take initiatives to expand cancer treatment services at the government level as well as ensure treatment opportunities for poor patients in private hospitals. At the same time, he urged the wealthy of the country to come forward to establish non-profit and service cancer hospitals. The dialogue was attended by Dr. Halida Hanum Akhtar, a faculty member and prominent public health expert at Johns Hopkins University; Professor Dr. Sabera Khatun, founding chairman of the Gynecological Oncology Department of BMU and current chairman Professor Dr. Jannatul Ferdous; CCPR Chairperson Mosharrat Jahan Sourav; Public Health Expert Dr. Abu Jamil Faisal; Syed Humayun Kabir, founder of the World Cancer Society Bangladesh; Jebunnesa, founder of Heal; and National Award-winning film director Mosihuddin Shaker, among others.
