BRAC University seminar raises awareness on prostate cancer
BRAC University’s School of Pharmacy organized a seminar, poster presentations and a quiz competition on the Merul Badda campus in Dhaka today (Thursday, 11 September 2025) to educate students about prostate cancer, especially about the importance of diagnosing the disease.
Dr Arman Reza Chowdhury, Senior Consultant, Radiation Oncology, Evercare Hospital, was the keynote speaker of the event, co-organized by student club BRAC University Pharma Society with support from the Office of Co-Curricular Activities and Everest Pharmaceuticals Limited marking Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland, which is found only in males, start to grow out of control. Symptoms include problems urinating, including a slow or weak urinary stream or the need to urinate more often, especially at night, and blood in the urine.
Factors that can affect prostate cancer risk are older age, family history, diet, obesity and lifestyle and men aged 45 to 50 years should undergo routine screenings, said Chowdhury.
Cases of prostate cancer are gradually rising in South Asia, he said.
“Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men worldwide, after lung cancer. Prostate cancer accounted for about 14.2 percent of newly diagnosed male cancer cases globally in 2022,” he said.
“Prostate cancer grows slowly and if patients receive proper treatment even at the advanced stage, they can live a normal life for a long time,” said Chowdhury.
“Pharmacists play a very important role in prostate cancer treatment by helping patients take their medications correctly, controlling side effects, participating in research and building a bridge between patients and doctors,” he said.
Prostate cancer treatment in Bangladesh is of very high quality, he added.
“Several leading pharmaceutical companies are already marketing prostate cancer drugs in our country, which are available at affordable prices and patients are benefiting from using them,” said Chowdhury.
“It is important for all of us to have regular health check-ups. Concealing the disease or being ashamed of it can turn detrimental,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar.
He advised everyone to be aware of preventing diseases, including prostate cancer. He said, “Not everything is possible with health insurance alone. We all need to be aware and hold more of such awareness programs.”
School of Pharmacy Acting Dean AFM Yusuf Haider highlighted the importance of modern equipment as well as skilled manpower in hospitals.
“All hospitals need to have skilled medical physicists. Our medical system has witnessed improvements with the use of technology and artificial intelligence,” he said.
He also urged students to maintain healthy diets. He expressed hope that such programs will play an important role in increasing awareness and strengthening preventive health practices.
Mohammad Kawsar Sharif Siam, Senior Lecturer of the School of Pharmacy, also spoke at the event.
By challenging stereotypes surrounding masculinity, health, and vulnerability, raising awareness, promoting education and supporting one another, BRAC University is advancing progress towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and 4 (Quality Education).
