Some Bangladeshi hospitals have all necessary equipment to treat cervical and breast cancer, but due to a lack of awareness, women are reluctant to seek help and often do not go to hospitals until the cancer reaches an advanced stage, said Dr See Hui Ti, senior consultant of Medical Oncology at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore.   

The specialist on adult breast and gynaecological cancers said she has been visiting the country for the last seven years and seen many local hospitals develop cancer treatment facilities.

"But what hasn't changed much is women's understanding of the importance of early detection," she said while addressing a roundtable titled "Common Gynaecological and Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment" organised by The Daily Star, Parkway Cancer Centre, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, and Can Hope Dhaka at The Daily Star Centre yesterday.

"The chances of survival after breast cancer are hundred percent, if the treatment starts at the primary stage," she said.

She urged women to visit a medical facility immediately after detecting any lump in their breasts.

Usually elderly women were afflicted by breast cancer in the past, but young women in their 30s are sometimes diagnosed with breast cancer these days, said Dr See Hui Ti.

The discussion, moderated by Naziba Basher, a feature writer of The Daily Star, was attended by physicians and cancer survivors.