Study Reveals 12% Deaths Cancer-Related In Bangladesh

A population-based cancer research study in Bangladesh has revealed some significant findings regarding the prevalence of cancer in the country. The study, conducted by researchers from the Public Health and Informatics Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), found that 12% of all deaths in the country are caused by cancer. Additionally, 53 new cancer cases per 100,000 people are diagnosed each year.

The study, part of the National Cancer Registry, included over 200,000 participants from 46,631 families, with 48.4% men and 51.6% women. Among the participants, 214 were identified as cancer patients, showing an incidence rate of 106 per 100,000 people—118 for men and 96 for women. In total, 38 different types of cancer were identified.

The study found that 92.5% of cancer patients were aged between 18 and 75 years, with 2.4% under 18 and 5.1% over 75. The most common cancers identified were breast cancer (16.8%), lip and oral cancers (8.4%), stomach cancer (7.0%), laryngeal cancer (7.0%), and cervical cancer (5.1%).

In men, the most common cancer was laryngeal cancer (13.0%), followed by stomach cancer (10.4%), lung cancer (8.7%), lip and oral cancers (7.0%), and esophageal cancer (6.1%). In women, breast cancer was the most common (36.4%), followed by cervical cancer (11.1%), lip and oral cancers (10.1%), thyroid cancer (7.1%), and ovarian cancer (5.1%).

The research also revealed that 19% of women with cancer had reproductive organ cancers, including cervical cancer (11%), ovarian cancer (5%), and uterine cancer (3%).

Among the cancer patients, 17% had high blood pressure, 11% had diabetes, 6% had heart disease, 3% had kidney issues, and 2% had suffered a stroke. Furthermore, 46% of cancers were linked to tobacco use (both smoking and smokeless). About 60% of cancer patients underwent a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, while 7.4% did not receive any treatment after diagnosis.