Emphasizing that government initiatives alone are not enough, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain
has called for united and concerted efforts from the government, educated society, and physicians to build widespread awareness against breast cancer across the country.
"Everyone must make a coordinated effort. Our rural mothers and sisters remain occupied from dawn to bedtime with household chores-when will they think about this? It is we, the government, and educated people like us who must think for them," he said.
The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion on breast cancer awareness held at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in the capital today.
Calling upon physicians and civil society to take the lead in saving lives, the he said, "You are doctors; put your awareness and intellect to greater use. To save this society, you must come forward."
The minister particularly urged female physicians to spearhead rural outreach campaigns to bridge the awareness gap.
"Female doctors can play a very important role. Across the country, if you form an association of female doctors addressing breast cancer and spend at least three days a year in villages or speak to rural women wherever you are, I think you can control it a lot," he said, urging doctors to visit their ancestral homes at least once a year to educate rural women on self-examination.