Training up female health workers or nurses can be a useful way of getting rural women talk about their breast problems and thus reduce breast cancer fatalities, a Singapore-based oncology expert has said.
Dr Lo Soo Kien, senior medical oncologist at the Harley Street Heart and Cancer Centre in Singapore, said this in an interview with the Dhaka Tribune after a medical awareness seminar at the Regency Hotel in Dhaka yesterday.
“The village people can be taught about the symptoms of breast cancer, what to do when there is a lump. You do not always need a doctor for this. A nurse can explain things just as well. They can give talks to groups of 20-30 women,” she told the Dhaka Tribune.
Dr Reginald Liew, senior cardiologist at the Harley Street Heart, said: “Broadly, there are two groups of patients who come to Singapore. Those who have confirmed diseases. They come to Singapore for specialised treatment, something that is not available in their own country.
“The second group just seek an opinion on the treatment to follow for a particular problem or are tourists who get health checkups,” Dr Liew said.
In the seminar, Dr Radhika Lakshmanan, oncology and breast surgeon at the Singapore O&G Pvt Ltd, said: “Breast cure begins with breast aware. The occurrence of breast cancer is highest in Asia. It is very common among women above 40 years of age.”
The seminar styled “Your Singapore Healthcare Experience” was organised by Galaxy Healthcare Services, a concern of Galaxy Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board. Galaxy has for the last 10 years been assisting people in Bangladesh get world class treatment in different countries, including Singapore.
