Informed and empowered: Breast cancer awareness at BracU
On 20th October, students and faculties came together to an empowering session held in the exhibition gallery of Brac University. Attended by over 50 people, this event aimed to honor Breast Cancer Awareness month. Spearheaded by breast cancer specialist Professor Brigadier General Dr. Masroor Hasan also specializes in Plastic, Cosmetic and Reconstructive surgery. His insightful speech enriched the event with consciousness and assurance.
Dr. Hasan began by giving an introduction to breast cancer, referring to it as the most common form of cancer. He wowed the audience as he revealed that the people of western countries are more vulnerable to Breast Cancer than us. 90 of every 1 lac people are affected by breast cancer in the west while for us it’s just 27. He reassures everyone as he revealed that breast cancer is not as life-threatening, with a mortality rate of 6%. He then moves on to factors that are most and least vulnerable to developing breast cancer. Breastfeeding under the age of 25, controlled weight are least likely whereas breastfeeding after the age of 35, out of control weight, smoking and family history is most likely to develop breast cancer. He shares the symptoms of this cancer which include painless bumps, leaking fluid etc. He encourages the attendees to do regular checkups to ensure in case anybody has this cancer, that it is detected at an early age. He reveals that even though mastectomy was once the standard treatment, surgery can now remove cancer without removing the entire breast, by taking tissue from the stomach.
Later Dr. Hasan engaged in a Q/A with the attendees, answering questions of students regarding their potential research project and faculties about more queries they had about breast cancer and available treatment options in Bangladesh. The event is concluded by taking group pictures with the respected figure.
