Cancer Prevention and Control in Bangladesh: Mass Awareness is Needed

Here we discuss the mass population perception and life style practices on cancer in a group of
Bangladeshi people. Based on our conducted survey findings, we highlighted the important issues to
address for reducing the cancer incidence of the country. In 2016, we reported a cancer knowledge
and perception survey findings conducted on Bangladeshi people. The survey questionnaire was
developed based on the WHO country level cancer risk assessment report. A total of 407 respondents
were invited randomly using social networks and personal communication to take part into the survey.
We included 253 respondents with information of knowledge and current life style practices towards
cancer prevention. We found that only one-third of the respondents irrespective of age groups- No vs.
Yes: 96 (37.95%) vs. 157 (62.05%), p<0.00001 had known that cancer can be prevented by modifying
life styles. Female respondents had remarkably lower level of knowledge and perception on specific
cancer prevention knowledge compared to their male counterpart. Irrespective of age groups and
gender, about 67% (n=169) and 45% (n=113) of the respondents knew about the impact of chewing
or smoking tobacco and non-food grade preservatives, chemicals, ripening agents on developing
cancer, respectively; however, only one-fourth (n=73, 28.65%) respondents knew that physical
inability or obesity is a risk factor for cancer. Stopped/never smoking, avoid consuming food with food
additives/preservatives, alcohol consumption were found the three most common practices among the
respondents towards cancer prevention. The study provides important baseline information on
preventable cancer risk perception in Bangladesh. In this chapter, we comprehend our survey findings
in details including the cancer screening perception and practices of the respondents. Our results
indicate that a comprehensive cancer awareness program is needed to reduce the cancer burden in
Bangladesh.