Epidemiology, risk factors and tumor profiles of breast cancer in Bangladeshi underprivileged women

Similar to cancer statistics in developed countries, breast cancer is also the leading cause of cancer-related death in the women population of Bangladesh particularly the poor and underprivileged. The objective of this study was to study the socio-demography, tumor patterns and risk factors that affect these women from Dhaka and Bangladesh in general. This cross-sectional study involved 250 patients who presented to NICRH, Dhaka for treatment. These patients were interviewed, physically examined and vital information were gathered using approved questionnaires. Various personal, social, reproductive and tumor related factors were recorded and analyzed. The mean age of the study group was 44.7 years, standard deviation [SD] was 9.82 [range: 21-67], 87% have children, 57.2% were postmenopausal, 92% were housewives, 51.4% were illiterate, 62% attended 6 months after initiation of symptoms, 72% of the patients' yearly family income were less than US[dollar sign]1000/year. Almost 100% of the patients gave history of cooking from wooden fire source in the rural areas. In our study group, 79.7 percent women were within the group of BMI 20 kg/m[2]or more. Locally advanced breast cancer patients [T3 and T4] were 52.6%, axillary lymph node involvement was present in 80% of cases, 61.6 % patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In the elderly group [>40 years] Estrogen receptor was positive in 53.2% cases, 26.6% were Triple negative breast cancer patients. Women with poor socio-economic status and have none or low educational level are often victims of late presentation and tend to have a higher stage at diagnosis. Poverty, literacy and assorted risk factors have influenced the outcome of breast cancer cases among Bangladeshi women

Role of NGOs and CBOs in waste management

Developing cities like Khulna, the third largest metropolitan city in Bangladesh, have now begun to confess the environmental and public health risks associated with uncontrolled dumping of solid wastes mainly due to the active participation of non-governmental organizations [NGOs] and community-based organizations [CBOs] in municipal solid waste [MSW] management. A survey was conducted to observe the present scenarios of secondary disposal site [SDS], ultimate disposal site [UDS], composting plants, medical wastes management and NGOs and CBOs MSW management activities. A total of 22 NGOs and CBOs are involved in MSW management in 31 wards of Khulna City Corporation. About 9 to 12% of total generated wastes are collected by door-to-door collection system provided by mainly NGOs and CBOs using 71 non-motorized rickshaw vans. A major portion of collected wastes is disposed to the nearest SDS by these organizations and then transferred to UDS or to private low-lying lands from there by the city authority. A small portion of organic wastes is going to the composting plants of NGOs. The participation of NGOs and CBOs has improved the overall MSW management system, especially waste collection process from sources and able to motivate the residents to store the waste properly and to keep clean the premises

Impact of arsenic contaminated irrigation water in food chain: an overvioew from Bangladesh

Arsenic in ground water is a very serious environmental hazard of Bangladesh and West Bengal of India. The presence of high level of Arsenic [<50 micro g/L] in groundwater of Bangladesh has been detected in 1980's. According to World Health Organization [WHO]. The permissible limit of arsenic in drinking water is 10 micro g/L. 80% of groundwater of the country has been contaminated with arsenic. Nearly 80 million Bangladeshi are now at risk from arsenic related several diseases including cancer. It has been assumed that arsenic is only present in ground water of Bangladesh but some recent studies showed that meantime arsenic had contaminated the agricultural soil as well. A high level of arsenic is also reported food grains and vegetables. The vision of this review is to give an overview of the latest findings of arsenic in agriculture soil and food crops of Bangladesh

Municipal solid waste and recovery potential: Bangladesh perspective

A total of 7690 tons of municipal solid waste generated daily at the six major cities of Bangladesh, namely, Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barisal and Sylhet, as estimated in 2005. Sampling was done at different waste generation sources such as residential, commercial, institutional and open areas, in different seasons. The composition of the entire waste stream was about 74.4% organic matter, 9.1% paper, 3.5% plastic, 1.9% textile and wood, 0.8% leather and rubber, 1.5% metal, 0.8% glass and 8% other waste. The per capita generation of municipal solid waste was ranged from 0.325 to 0.485 kg/cap/day while the average rate was 0.387 kg/cap/day as measured in the six major cities. The potential for waste recovery and reduction based on the waste characteristics are evaluated and it is predicted that 21.64 million US$/yr can be earned from recycling and composting of municipal solid waste

case notes analysis of hysterectomy performed for non-neoplastic indications at liaquat national hospital, Karachi

To determine the indications, associated morbidity, mortality and histopathological findings in women who underwent hysterectomy for non-neoplastic indications at Liaquat National Hospital Karachi. This is a five year retrospective case note study of 143 women who underwent hysterectomy, excluding all those performed for benign or malignant pelvic neoplasms [excluding fibroids] and hysterectomy following childbirth for postpartum haemorrhage. Menorrhagia was the commonest indication for performing hysterectomy. The majority of the patients were in their forties; the commonest post operative complications were pyrexia, urinary tract and wound infections in 16% of the patients. There was no mortality associated with the procedure. The histopathology of the specimens revealed adenomyosis followed by leiomyoma to be the commonest pathology. It appears that adenomyosis is a common pathology in women from various ethnic and social backgrounds in Karachi, who are suffering from menorrhagia. Early diagnosis with high-resolution ultrasound is possible and hysterectomy may be offered earlier to these women, as they do not usually respond to medical treatment

Motive behind acute poisoning

Twelve hundred and fifty cases of acute poisoning admitted to a district hospital of southern Bangladesh were analysed to find out the motive behind poisoning. Suicidal [88.9%] poisoning was found to be the commonest followed by homicidal [9.8%] and accidental [1.4%] poisoning. Familial disharmony was identified as the main reason [73.1%] behind suicidal poisoning and was common in women. Men were victims of homicidal poisoning during journey. Accidental poisoning commonly occurred in children by common household substances [e.g. kerosene]. To reduce the incidence of poisoning in a community, the motive behind poisoning should be dealt with