Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BRCS) Chairman Prof Dr Halida Hanum Akhtar on Saturday announced the expansion of cervical cancer screening services to all 64 districts of the country, saying the disease is fully preventable if timely screening and vaccination are ensured.
She also stressed that preventing cervical cancer is not only a women’s issue- it requires awareness and responsible participation from male family members as well.
Dr Halida made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised at the National Press Club marking Cervical Cancer Awareness Day. Later, awareness leaflets were distributed among the public through a rally titled “Walk for Mothers.”
Highlighting the severity of the disease, she said cervical cancer is the second most alarming cancer among women after breast cancer. “The tragic part is that this is one of the few cancers that can be prevented in advance through awareness, screening and vaccination. Failing to utilise this opportunity would be our collective failure,” she said.
Explaining the anatomical vulnerability of the cervix, Dr Halida said it is located in a highly sensitive area of the body, with the rectum behind and the urinary tract in front. “As a result, cervical cancer spreads very quickly to nearby vital organs, making the patient’s condition critical,” she noted.
She warned that abnormal bleeding outside of the menstrual cycle, as well as post-menopausal bleeding, are major early warning signs of cervical cancer. Urging the younger generation to play a proactive role, she encouraged them to share this information with their mothers, aunts and grandmothers and motivate them to undergo screening when needed.
Emphasising the role of men in families, Dr Halida said financial decisions in society are often taken by men. “Many women do not know where screening services are available or how much they cost. Without awareness and support from male family members, timely testing becomes difficult,” she said, calling for equal involvement of men in cervical cancer prevention efforts.
She said BRCS currently operates 68 units across the country — including in all 64 districts and four divisional units — along with 64 Mother and Child Health Centres. “Primary screening services, including VIA tests, will be introduced gradually at these centres,” she said, adding that Red Crescent’s large pool of youth volunteers will be mobilised as carriers of awareness at the community level.
Dr Halida also highlighted the availability of an effective vaccine against cervical cancer, which can be administered from the age of 12. “Unlike breast cancer, which has no vaccine, this is a significant opportunity for women’s health,” she said.
She further advised caution in the prolonged use of estrogen-based oral contraceptive pills, noting that continuous use for more than five years may slightly increase cancer risk. In such cases, she suggested alternative family planning methods or male contraceptive options.
Calling for a sustainable health system rather than short-term campaigns, Dr Halida said, “My goal is to prevent disease before it happens — so that patients do not have to come to doctors with illness.” She urged students, media, volunteer organisations and state institutions to work together to achieve this goal.