As October is observed globally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Central Women’s Department of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has launched a nationwide breast cancer awareness campaign titled “Ami Bijoyini: Konya–Jaya–Janoni — Amar Hatei Breast Cancer-er Porajoy” (“I Am Victorious: Daughter–Wife–Mother — Breast Cancer Ends in My Hands”).

The campaign was inaugurated by the Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Professor Mia Golam Porwar, who attended the event as the chief guest.

In his speech, he said, “Since Almighty Allah has sent mankind for the welfare of humanity, such an initiative is truly timely and worthy of praise.” He expressed his gratitude to the Women’s Department of Jamaat-e-Islami for organizing this campaign and also thanked Dr. Khaleduzzaman, the nominated candidate for Dhaka-17 constituency, for his overall cooperation.

Secretary General highlighted the importance of raising awareness about breast cancer, and at the end of his address, he formally declared the campaign open.

Also addressing the program was Dr. S. S. Khaleduzzaman, the Jamaat-nominated parliamentary candidate for Dhaka-17, who collaborated in organizing the event.

At a press conference, Secretary of the Women’s Department of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Principal Nurunnisa Siddika delivered a speech. She emphasized the importance of raising awareness among Bangladeshi women about breast cancer and said that if Jamaat-e-Islami gets the opportunity, such initiatives will be organized on an even larger scale in the future.

She stated, “For breast cancer prevention, it is extremely important for women to perform a self-breast examination once every month. However, in our country, many women still delay seeking medical help due to shyness or lack of awareness.”

To address this issue, she announced that the Women’s Department of Jamaat-e-Islami has released an animated video showing women how to conduct a self-examination at home. She added that there are plans to include this initiative in national health policy in the future.

Among the special speakers, Professor and Head of the

Department of Radiology and Imaging at Ibn Sina Medical College Dr. Habiba Chowdhury Sweet said,

“Every year, a large number of women in Bangladesh are diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2022 alone, about 13,000 women were affected by this disease.”

She noted that, in this context, the awareness campaign titled “Ami Bijoyini: Konya–Jaya–Janoni — Amar Hateri Breast Cancer-er Porajoy” has been launched to spread awareness.

Women participating in the camp will have the opportunity to learn the self-breast examination technique directly from doctors.

This innovative breast cancer awareness camp offered free doctor counseling for participating women, along with a breast cancer awareness wristband, a wish card with a QR code (which, when scanned, shows an animated video demonstrating the self-exam process), and a care card for mothers or loved ones.

At the end, each participant signed a pledge card, expressing their solidarity with the campaign.

Among other notable attendees were, Assistant Professor, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ibn Sina Medical College

Dr. Nurunnahar Khanom Mishu, Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, BMU Dr. Samia Mubin, Former Head of the Department of Microbiology, Dhaka Medical College Professor Dr. Naima Muazzem, and Human Resource Development Department, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Advocate Sabikun Nahar Munni.