Cancer is often described as a “big-city disease,” but the reality in northern Bangladesh tells a different story. Rangpur, with its mix of urban neighborhoods, rural communities, and migrant families, is witnessing a rising cancer burden every year. Yet awareness, access to treatment, and community support systems still lag behind. This article explores how cancer is treated in Rangpur, what prevention looks like, and the challenges patients and caregivers struggle with every day.
Cancer Treatment Landscape in Rangpur
Over the last decade, Rangpur has quietly built up its capacity to treat cancer. Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RpMCH) now provides:
1. Diagnostic Services
Pathology and cytology for tumor identification
Ultrasound, CT, X-ray for staging
Basic endoscopy for GI cancers
Although some advanced imaging still requires referrals to Dhaka, the availability of core diagnostics locally saves patients time and money.
2. Chemotherapy
Medical oncologists in Rangpur now routinely administer chemotherapy for breast, cervical, colorectal, blood cancers and more. Both outpatient and inpatient services exist, and private clinics also operate small chemotherapy units.
3. Surgical Oncology
General and specialized surgeons perform cancer-related surgeries such as:
Breast tumor removal
Cervical and uterine surgeries
Head–neck tumor excisions
GI tumor resections
4. Radiotherapy (A Major Gap)
The most significant challenge is the limited radiotherapy capacity. Many patients still must travel to Dhaka, Bogura, or other major centers for radiation. This creates delays that can change outcomes dramatically.
5. Emerging Infrastructure
A new combined Cancer, Heart & Kidney Centre is under construction at RpMCH. Once fully operational, Rangpur will finally have a more comprehensive cancer facility close to home.
Cancer Prevention Efforts in Rangpur
Rangpur division has made noticeable progress in prevention, especially for cancers that are preventable or detectable at early stages.
1. HPV Vaccination for Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers for Bangladeshi women. Rangpur’s schools, community clinics, and union-level health workers have successfully rolled out HPV vaccination programs for adolescent girls. This single intervention can reduce cervical cancer risk dramatically in the next generation.
2. VIA Screening Programs
Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) is a low-cost method used across community clinics and hospitals. Rangpur Medical College has also conducted community-focused screening camps, revealing numerous early lesions—many treatable on the same day.
3. Tobacco and Betel Nut Awareness
Rangpur’s higher-than-average tobacco and jarda/gul usage translates into high rates of:
Oral cancer
Lung cancer
Esophageal cancer
Local NGOs and public health units run awareness campaigns, but long-term behavioral change remains slow.
Read more: Cancer Specialist Doctors in Rangpur
4. Lifestyle and Dietary Changes
Obesity, physical inactivity, and high-salt diets contribute to some cancer types. Urban areas in Rangpur are slowly adopting healthier lifestyle habits, but rural communities face barriers related to affordability and access to fresh food.
Care Complications Faced by Patients and Families
Even with improving facilities, cancer care in Rangpur is not without obstacles. Patients commonly face a collection of interconnected challenges:
1. Late Diagnosis
Most patients arrive at hospitals when cancer is already advanced. Reasons include:
Lack of awareness
Stigma and fear
Financial hesitation
Dependence on village healers before seeking medical attention
Late diagnosis reduces treatment success dramatically.
2. Travel Burden for Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of many cancer treatments. Because Rangpur lacks full-capacity radiation units, patients often travel:
6–8 hours to Dhaka
Multiple trips per week, sometimes for 5–6 weeks
For many families, this means lost wages, high travel costs, and emotional exhaustion.
3. Financial Hardship
Even though government hospitals offer subsidized services, the overall cost of cancer remains high:
Diagnostic tests
Chemotherapy drugs
Transportation
Accommodation near treatment centers
Special nutrition
A single chemotherapy cycle can wipe out months of savings for low-income families.
4. Limited Palliative & Supportive Care
Pain management, psychological counseling, and home-based care are often overlooked. Many families struggle to care for bedridden patients without guidance, proper medication, or emotional support.
5. Workforce Shortage
The number of trained oncologists, oncology nurses, medical physicists, and radiation technologists remains far below the need. This leads to:
Long waiting times
Rushed consultations
Limited patient education
How Rangpur Can Improve Cancer Outcomes
To reduce the burden and improve survival, a multi-layered approach is essential:
1. Expand Radiotherapy Facilities
Completing and equipping the cancer centre at RpMCH should become a top priority.
2. Strengthen Screening Networks
VIA screening for women
Mobile screening vans
Community health worker training
3. Enhance Palliative Care
Integrating palliative care into community clinics can reduce suffering for late-stage patients.
4. Increase Public Awareness
Regular campaigns on:
Breast self-examination
Dangers of tobacco and jarda
Benefits of early diagnosis
HPV vaccination
5. Better Financial Protection
Social welfare programs, NGO support, and insurance-like models can reduce catastrophic health expenditure.
Conclusion
Rangpur stands at an important point in its cancer-care journey. The region has capable doctors, dedicated public health workers, and growing hospital infrastructure. But to truly reduce cancer deaths, Rangpur must focus on early detection, prevention, affordable treatment, and better supportive care.
Cancer may be a heavy challenge, but with collective effort—from families, communities, hospitals, government, and NGOs—the people of Rangpur can face it with strength, knowledge, and hope.
