Lung and breast cancer rates are rising at an alarming pace in Bangladesh, while high treatment costs and late diagnosis continue to place effective care beyond the reach of many patients, medical experts said.
Lung cancer remains one of the most common and deadliest cancers in the country, particularly among men. About 35,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year, and nearly 5,000 die annually from the disease.
Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are the leading causes, accounting for nearly 90% of lung cancer cases, experts said. Harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke damage lung cell DNA, while inhaling smoke from others significantly increases the risk.
Environmental factors also play a major role. Air pollution, prolonged exposure to radon gas, and occupational contact with substances such as asbestos, arsenic, chromium, nickel, beryllium, and petroleum products increase cancer risk. A family history or genetic predisposition further heightens vulnerability.
Cancer patterns vary by gender. Lung cancer is the most prevalent among men, followed by oral and bowel cancers. Among women, breast cancer has become the most common cancer, overtaking cervical cancer, which has declined slightly in recent years. Breast cancer cases, however, continue to rise.
Certain regions show higher cancer prevalence. Lung and oral cancers are more common in Rangpur, Dinajpur, Kushtia, and Lalmonirhat, where tobacco production and processing are widespread. Thyroid cancer cases are comparatively higher in Jamalpur and Dinajpur.
About 150,000 people are newly diagnosed with cancer in Bangladesh each year, while between 80,000 and 90,000 die annually. The total number of cancer patients is estimated at 1.3 to 1.5 million. More than 80% of patients seek treatment at advanced stages, making care more complex, costly, and less effective, experts said.
Associate Professor Dr. AKM Minhaj Uddin Bhuiyan, head of the Surgical Oncology Department at the National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital, said cancer incidence is steadily increasing due to a combination of environmental, dietary, and genetic factors.
“If cancer is detected at the first or second stage, recovery is possible with proper treatment. But treatment becomes expensive and the chances of survival decrease significantly at advanced stages,” he said.
Dr. Minhaj emphasized the importance of screening, particularly for breast cancer, noting that although screening services are available at some hospitals, population-based screening remains limited because of cost and accessibility.
Experts also pointed to lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, consumption of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, and lack of physical activity as contributors to cancers including oral, stomach, breast, colon, and liver cancer. Coastal communities face a higher risk of stomach cancer due to frequent consumption of smoked and dried foods.
Bangladesh’s only full-fledged cancer facility, the National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital, has 500 beds. Due to heavy patient pressure, waiting times for treatment range from one to three months.
Treatment costs pose another major challenge. Cancer patients often require long-term radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and, in the case of breast cancer, hormone therapy for five to ten years. While developed countries provide extensive state support, government assistance in Bangladesh remains limited. Currently, cancer patients receive a one-time grant of Tk50,000 through the Department of Social Services.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 20 million people worldwide are newly diagnosed with cancer each year, with approximately 26,500 deaths occurring daily. Global cancer cases could rise to 35 million annually by 2050, experts warned.
Marking World Cancer Day, the National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital will organize awareness rallies, discussions, and seminars on February 5. A separate discussion program will be held at the Centre for Cancer Care Foundation in Dhaka’s Paribagh area at 3pm on February 4.
This year’s theme, “United by Unique,” highlights that while every patient’s experience is different, collective action remains essential in the fight against cancer.
