BRAC University Response Team raises awareness on breast cancer

Student club BRAC University Response Team (BURT) in collaboration with the Labaid Cancer Hospital and Super Speciality Centre organized a “Breast Cancer Awareness Program” alongside a free screening session on BRAC University’s Merul Badda campus on 30 October 2024.

The event featured guest speakers Dr. Md. Ehteshamul Hoque, Senior Consultant for Radiation & Clinical Oncology, and Dr. Ali Nafisa, Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and Consultant at Labaid Breast Centre.

The duo informed of the different types of breast cancer, one of the most common cancers, proactive healthcare for prevention and the risk factors. Often remaining undetected at its early stages, breast cancer affects one in every 8 women and approximately one in every 100 men, they said.

The doctors showed some self-examination techniques and recommended looking out for symptoms, such as lumps in the breast, changes in breast shape or size, skin dimpling, nipple discharge, and pain or swelling in the breast or underarm area.

Medical professionals should be consulted if any such signs appear, they said, pointing out that early detection can greatly improve chances of successful treatment.

Women over 35 years of age are at increased risk and should undergo screening twice a year, said Dr. Nafisa.

She also highlighted lifestyle-related risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, delayed childbearing, late breastfeeding, high intake of junk food and obesity. Those with a family history of breast cancer were also advised to consider genetic testing.

A Q&A session afterward shed light on a lack of availability of breast healthcare in rural areas and the social taboo surrounding open conversations about breast health.

The specialists urged encouraging open and regular dialogue about cancer to foster a more health-conscious community.