Published: 11:21 PM, 19 September 2026
BMU holds rally to mark National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
A colourful rally was held at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) on Saturday to mark National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2026, with a call to dispel fear and ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer.
The programme was organised by the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Society of Bangladesh under the slogan, “Not Fear, but Awareness. Not Delayed, but Timely Treatment.”
The awareness campaign also included a human chain and press briefing at the National Press Club in Dhaka, aimed at raising public awareness about childhood cancer, informing parents about early warning signs and encouraging them to seek appropriate medical care without delay.
A significant number of children and adolescents worldwide develop cancer every year, making childhood cancer an important public health concern in Bangladesh as well. Speakers at the programme said that many children can recover if the disease is detected at an early stage and appropriate treatment is initiated promptly. However, lack of awareness, delays in diagnosis and various barriers to accessing healthcare prevent many children from receiving timely treatment, they said.
BMU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Md Nazrul Islam inaugurated the day's programmes as the chief guest.
Professor Dr Afiqul Islam, president of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Society of Bangladesh, chaired the programme, while the society's general secretary, Associate Professor Dr Chowdhury Shamsul Haque Kibria, moderated it.
BMU Faculty of Pediatrics Dean Professor Dr Md Atiar Rahman, Associate Professor of Pediatric Gastroenterology Dr Md Atiar Rahman, faculty members and physicians from BMU's Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and other departments under the Faculty of Pediatrics, as well as pediatricians and physicians from different medical colleges and members of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Society of Bangladesh, attended the programme.
In his remarks, Professor Dr Md Nazrul Islam called for greater public awareness about childhood cancer and urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure that children receive timely medical attention.
Professor Dr Afiqul Islam said the awareness month serves as a reminder that cancer is not only a disease of adults; children can also develop this serious illness.
He said efforts to raise awareness about childhood cancer began in the United States in 1990, while September was formally designated as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in 2010.
The key objectives of the observance are to increase public understanding of childhood cancer, promote early detection, expand access to treatment, encourage research and support children affected by cancer and their families, he said.
Associate Professor Dr Chowdhury Shamsul Haque Kibria called for coordinated efforts to combat childhood cancer, stressing that treatment alone is not enough.
“Public awareness, early diagnosis and timely access to treatment are equally important,” he said.
If hospitals, medical colleges, professional organisations, educational institutions, the media and social organisations work together, misconceptions and unnecessary fear surrounding childhood cancer can be reduced and delays in seeking treatment can be minimised, he added.
Other speakers urged parents not to ignore warning signs such as persistent or recurrent fever, unusual paleness, unexplained bruising or abnormal bleeding, bone pain, unusual weakness or sudden changes in a child's behaviour. They advised parents to consult a doctor promptly if such symptoms appear.
Speakers also noted that the exact burden of childhood cancer in Bangladesh is still not fully known, as the country does not yet have a comprehensive national childhood cancer registry.
According to various studies and estimates, thousands of children in Bangladesh develop cancer every year. However, many cases are not diagnosed in time, while a significant number of children fail to receive the treatment they need.
Late diagnosis, high treatment costs, difficulties in reaching specialised treatment centres, limited availability of essential medicines and supportive care, and discontinuation of treatment remain major challenges in childhood cancer care in Bangladesh, the speakers said.
They stressed that a key priority of the awareness campaign should be the establishment of a nationwide system for recording and registering childhood cancer cases, alongside expansion of treatment facilities and ensuring affordable, quality care for every child.
The speakers called for stronger collaboration among healthcare institutions, professionals, policymakers, civil society and the media to ensure that no child misses the opportunity for timely diagnosis and effective treatment because of lack of awareness or access.
