DR ARMAN REZA CHOWDHURY

Colorectal cancer is quietly becoming a growing concern in Bangladesh. From busy city hospitals to smaller district centres, more people are being diagnosed every year. But rising numbers tell only part of the story. The deeper issue lies in whether people are receiving the right care at the right time, and whether that care is within reach for all.

Treatment today is no longer limited to surgery alone. Many patients require medicine that work throughout the body. These are used before surgery to shrink the disease, after surgery to prevent its return, or when it has already spread. This form of care is not a last resort but a central part of modern treatment.

Encouragingly, Bangladesh has made visible progress. In major hospitals, patients can now receive treatments similar to those offered internationally. Newer medicine have also entered practice in selected cases. Compared to the past, options have expanded, and doctors are more informed about global standards.

Yet, this progress is uneven. Advanced care is mostly concentrated in a few specialised centres, particularly in the capital. Patients living outside these areas often face limited choices. For them, where they live can determine the quality of care they receive. This gap creates a silent divide in outcomes.

Another pressing challenge is the lack of personalised care. Modern treatment increasingly depends on understanding the unique nature of each patient’s illness. Certain tests help guide which medicine is likely to work best. However, in reality, many patients cannot access these tests. Some find them too expensive, others face long delays, and in some areas they are simply unavailable. As a result, treatment decisions are often based on availability rather than suitability.

Cost remains one of the heaviest burdens. Most patients in Bangladesh pay for treatment from their own pockets. Even basic care can strain a family’s finances. When newer or more advanced medicines are needed, the cost rises sharply. Many patients are forced to stop midway, delay starting, or choose less effective options. This financial pressure affects not just health, but the stability of entire families.

Good care also depends on teamwork. Ideally, patients should be guided by a group of specialists working together, ensuring a clear and coordinated plan. While some hospitals have begun to follow this approach, it is not yet standard across the country. Many patients still move from one place to another, facing confusion and delays.

Despite these challenges, there is reason for hope. The medical field in Bangladesh is evolving. Younger doctors are more aware, discussions are more informed, and step by step, the system is improving. Facilities for better diagnosis are slowly expanding, laying the groundwork for more precise care in the future.

Bangladesh now stands at a turning point. The journey from basic treatment to more tailored care has begun, but it is not yet complete. The goal ahead is clear: to ensure that every patient, regardless of location or income, receives timely, appropriate, and effective treatment. Because in the end, the true measure of progress is not what is available, but what is accessible.

Dr Arman Reza Chowdhury is a Senior Consultant in Radiation Oncology at Evercare Hospital Dhaka. E-mail: rezadrarman@gmail.com