REAL PICTURE OF CANCER IN BANGLADESH, A DEVELOPING SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRY: A SURVEY STUDY

Cancer – one of the most pervasive diseases, thus far mostly in affluent countries – is fast raising its ugly head in the developing world. This is a survey work on cancer due to recent increasing of the number of cancer patients in Bangladesh.  This study was carried out in Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital, Dhaka Bangladesh as this is the biggest missionary hospital in this country, From 13 February 2011 to April 13, 2011. A total of 352 patients were enrolled in the study. Of them 160 were male & 192 were female patients. The female patient were greater in number than male patient. Among the male there were 38.75% farmer, 33.12% day labor great in number. Among the female 92.70 % were housewives. According to the age distribution of patients the study was carried out in the range of (0-90) years. Most number of patients (30.39%) was seen in the age of 41-50.Among the cancer patient addiction history is alarming to chewing tobacco (32.64%), smoking (35.77%) and Tea more than 6 cup a day (45.15%). 61.45% female used to take contraceptives at least for five years. 61.97 % female sufferer were post menopausal. 53.12% of the patient were come from rural area. Total 29 types of chemo drugs were prescribed of which Top five prescribed Chemo drugs were Fluorouracil (41%), Cisplatin (29%), Doxorubicin (27%), cyclophosphamide (24%), Paclitaxel (19%). The maximum number of treatment pattern is surgery along with chemo therapy (84.2%).