BICC 2025 calls for mandatory screening and national cancer policy

The Oncology Club Bangladesh recently organised the Bangladesh International Cancer Congress (BICC) 2025, where experts called for mandatory cancer screening in select cases to ensure early detection and reduce mortality rates, according to a press release.

More than 1,200 oncologists, healthcare professionals, and researchers—including 31 international experts from 16 countries—participated in the congress, held in academic partnership with the University of Bologna (Italy), SingHealth (Singapore), and the Global Health Catalyst.

At the media briefing, cancer specialist Dr A F M Kamal Uddin warned of an alarming rise in cancer cases, citing Bangladesh's severe shortage of radiotherapy machines — only 29 available against a national need of 209. He urged the government to prioritise the installation of new machines in divisional cities such as Chattogram and Sylhet.

Dr M Saiful Haque emphasised the urgency of a comprehensive national cancer policy and long-term planning to make treatment accessible and affordable. He also highlighted the importance of public awareness as the first line of defence against cancer.

Experts reiterated that without major changes in diet, lifestyle, and preventive measures, cancer prevention will remain difficult. The congress ended with a unified call for early screening, system-wide policy reform, and collective national action to fight cancer in Bangladesh.