A comprehensive population-based cancer registry study, The Burden of Cancer in Bangladesh: A Population-Based Cancer Registry, has been conducted in Hossainpur Upazila, Kishoreganj, since July 2023. The study collected data through home visits using a specially designed internet-based cancer registration software. In July 2024, a follow-up survey of the same households began, and the findings were released on Saturday.
Initially, the study included 201,668 participants from 46,631 households, with 48.4% being male and 51.6% female. The total number of cancer patients recorded was 214, indicating a cancer prevalence of 106 per 100,000 people—118 per 100,000 among men and 96 per 100,000 among women.
The survey identified 38 types of cancer in Bangladesh, with an annual incidence rate of 53 new cases per 100,000 people. The findings were presented at an event held at the Super Specialized Hospital’s conference room in Dhaka. Experts recommended sustaining the cancer registry, providing necessary support, and encouraging researchers to use the data for future cancer studies. The study was funded by the Non-Communicable Disease Control (NCDC) program, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser (State Minister rank), emphasized the importance of research, stating, “There is no alternative to research in generating new knowledge. BSMMU should focus on studies that directly benefit patients. The government will continue to support research that serves the people and patients of Bangladesh.”
BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Shahinul Alam, who presided over the event, assured that funding would not be an issue for research that aligns with public aspirations. He added, “The data from Bangladesh’s population-based cancer registry will play a crucial role in cancer prevention, treatment, and patient care, while also opening new avenues for cancer research in the country.”
The event featured speeches from key officials, including BSMMU Pro-Vice Chancellors Professor Dr. Abul Kalam Azad (Administration) and Professor Dr. Mujibur Rahman Howlader (Research & Development), Treasurer Professor Dr. Nahrin Akhtar, and Line Director of the Health Directorate, Professor Dr. Syed Zakir Hossain. The welcome address was delivered by Professor Atiqul Haque, Chairman of the Department of Public Health and Informatics.
The study’s principal investigator, Associate Professor Dr. Md. Khalekuzzaman from the Department of Public Health and Informatics, stressed the significance of the registry. He stated, “Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Bangladesh has lacked a population-based cancer registry (PBCR), forcing researchers to rely on data from neighboring countries. This limitation has hindered accurate cancer assessments in Bangladesh, making it essential to establish a national registry.”
Dr. Khalekuzzaman highlighted key findings from the study, which surveyed 200,000 individuals. The five most prevalent cancers in Bangladesh are breast, oral, stomach, respiratory, and cervical cancer. Among men, the most common cancers are respiratory, stomach, lung, oral, and esophageal cancers, while women are primarily affected by breast, cervical, oral, thyroid, and ovarian cancers.
The study also found a strong correlation between tobacco use and cancer. Among male cancer patients, 75.8% were smokers, and 40.5% consumed smokeless tobacco products such as betel quid and jarda. Among female cancer patients, 60.6% used smokeless tobacco. Overall, tobacco use was linked to 46% of all cancer cases.
Regarding treatment, 60% of cancer patients received a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, while 7.4% did not undergo any treatment. Cancer accounted for 12% of total deaths in the country, with lung, respiratory, and stomach cancers being the leading causes. The annual incidence of new cancer cases was found to be 53 per 100,000 people, with lung, liver, and respiratory cancers being the most frequently diagnosed.
The study’s follow-up phase, conducted between July 1, 2024, and January 14, 2025, surveyed 58,539 individuals from 13,411 households. It revealed an updated cancer incidence rate of 52.9 new cases per 100,000 people. The three most newly diagnosed cancers were lung cancer (16.1%), liver cancer (12.9%), and laryngeal cancer (12.9%).
For men, the leading newly diagnosed cancers were lung (16.1%), liver (12.9%), and laryngeal cancer (12.9%), while for women, the most common newly diagnosed cancers were liver (23.1%), cervical (15.4%), and esophageal cancer (15.4%). Cancer accounted for approximately 12% of total deaths, with lung cancer (11.4%), laryngeal cancer (8.5%), and stomach cancer (5.7%) being the primary causes.
Among male cancer-related deaths, lung (19%) and laryngeal (14.3%) cancers were the most common, while among females, breast and stomach cancers each accounted for 14.3% of deaths.
The study provides critical insights into Bangladesh’s cancer burden and highlights the need for sustained research, preventive measures, and improved treatment accessibility to address the growing cancer crisis in the country.
