Evercare hosts breast cancer awareness programme

Doctors at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Monday stressed the importance of timely screening for breast tissue abnormalities, emphasising that early detection and an accurate diagnosis significantly improve treatment outcomes.
They explained that not every breast lump is cancerous, but any unusual changes should be assessed.
They also called for greater awareness to dispell misconceptions on the disease, including the belief that cancer can be contagious.
These comments came in response to’ querries at a special breast cancer awareness programme organised by Evercare on occasion of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Discussions centered breast cancer risks, warning signs, diagnostic procedures and treatment options.
Dr Arif Mahmud, group medical director of Evercare, said people often think that cancer has no cure.
“But now in 2026, we can confidently say that there are answers to the disease if it is diagnosed in time and treatment begins promptly,” he added.
Arif informed that up to 13,000 cases of breast cancer are detected in Bangaldesh each year, with about 7,000 of the infected individuals dying annually.
He said this is mainly because many patients only sought medical care after the disease reached an advanced stage, reducing chances successful treatment.
“Social stigma, misconceptions and a lack of awareness are among the barriers preventing them from seeking timely care,” he added.
The oncologists highlighted a certain type of breast lump as a key warning sign, emphasising that the absence of pain does not mean it is harmless. They also stressed the importance of self examinations in detecting unusual changes. They advised seeking an assessment upon discovering suspicious symptoms.
Dr Biswajit Bhattacharjee, senior consultant and coordinator of radiation oncology, said a core needle biopsy collects a small tissue sample from suspected tumours to identify whether the lump is cancerous.
They also clarified that receiving a cancer diagnosis does not automatically mean the person must lose their entire breast.  Similarly, chemotherapy is not necessary for every patient, while the need for radiotherapy depends on individual factors.