Ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, Dhaka Tribune Chief Reporter Ali Asif Shawon interviewed Kågström regarding Bangladesh's increasing cancer burden. She emphasized key priorities for the country, including preventive measures such as HPV vaccination, affordable diagnostics, and low-cost screenings for breast and cervical cancers. She also advocated for gender-responsive policies, deployment of rural mobile units, and stronger controls on tobacco use and air pollution.
Cancer cases are rising fast in Bangladesh, but resources are limited. From what you’ve seen globally, what should Bangladesh and other low- and middle-income countries prioritize first to make the biggest impact?
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the most common cancers in Bangladesh are esophageal, lip and oral cavity, breast, cervical, and lung cancer. Many of these are largely preventable. Strong prevention efforts could save lives, reduce suffering, and ease pressure on health systems.
The HPV vaccine is a clear example. National targets and vaccination programs can prevent — and in the long term potentially eliminate — cervical cancer. Other countries provide strong examples of prevention, but each strategy must fit local conditions. Alongside prevention, clear and accessible health information is essential so people recognize symptoms early and seek care in time.
Are there proven, low-cost screening models that Bangladesh could quickly scale up?
The first step is awareness: clear, accessible information helps people recognize early symptoms and know when to seek care. For breast and cervical cancer, screening can be delivered at the primary care level, combined in a single visit, or integrated with existing health programs. Successful examples in LMICs show how reducing barriers and considering local cultures and norms increases participation.
What aspects of culture and norms may influence how people approach health issues or screening?
Local culture matters. For example, New Zealand has successfully built bridges between Indigenous communities and healthcare services to improve participation. Similar tailored approaches can help increase uptake of screening in Bangladesh.
Out-of-pocket costs push many cancer patients into poverty. How realistic is it for countries like Bangladesh to make cancer care more affordable — and where should governments start?
Governments should aim to reduce the financial burden on people affected by cancer. They don’t need to fund everything immediately but can start with key components such as diagnostics, surgery for common cancers, radiotherapy, and palliative care.
Strengthening early detection and prevention is itself a financial protection strategy, as treating early-stage cancer is far less expensive. Collecting data to understand the cancer burden allows governments to develop costed national cancer control plans and make targeted policy decisions
Women often face extra barriers in accessing cancer care. How important is a gender-focused approach in national cancer policies?
Gender-responsive strategies are essential. Women face barriers due to social norms, household responsibilities, and biases within healthcare systems. Policies that address these barriers — including tailored outreach, respectful communication, privacy, childcare support, safe transport, and realistic program scheduling — improve health outcomes. When systems are designed around women’s real-life experiences, more cancers are detected at treatable stages, improving outcomes at lower public health costs.
Cancer services remain concentrated in big cities. How can quality care reach rural communities without overstretching the system?
First, understand local needs. Practical approaches include mobile screening units, telemedicine consultations, phone follow-ups, and training rural health workers to recognize early symptoms. These strategies bring care closer to rural communities without burdening urban hospitals.
Tobacco use and air pollution are major cancer risk factors in Bangladesh. Are governments doing enough on prevention?
Treatment often receives more attention than prevention, but prevention has the greatest long-term impact. Stronger public health measures — including tobacco control, awareness campaigns, and air quality policies — could prevent many cancers and reduce overall healthcare burden. Bangladesh has updated its tobacco laws, but enforcement is uneven.
What makes the difference between good legislation and real health outcomes?
Implementation is key. Good intentions must translate into action. Monitoring compliance, combined with public awareness campaigns, ensures that legislation produces tangible health benefits.
How can international organizations like UICC support countries such as Bangladesh practically?
UICC provides tools and guidance, but success depends on translating global frameworks into locally relevant action. Initiatives like the World Cancer Declaration offer a framework for member organizations to adapt strategies to national contexts. UICC continues to support this process.
What role can civil society and the media play in shaping public understanding of cancer?
Media can share personal stories behind the statistics, helping break taboos and encouraging early care. Civil society reaches people in their everyday environments, creating safe spaces for information and conversation that might otherwise be difficult to access.
As we mark World Cancer Day, what message would you give to policymakers and the public?
Advances in research and care are remarkable, but access remains unequal. Policymakers must put people at the center of cancer care — investing in prevention, early detection, affordable treatment, and empathetic support. Listening to people affected by cancer ensures that systems are stronger, fairer, and more humane. Every person matters.