Strength and Serenity actively supports the education of residents and fellows in the global challenges of screening for and treating women’s cancer in Bangladesh.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women in Bangladesh. In low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh, delays in diagnosis and barriers to treatment lead to poor outcomes from a cancer that is easily preventable and treatable in more well-resourced settings.
Supporting a women’s cancer ward at Dhaka Medical College Hospital
Strength and Serenity participates in an international collaboration between Mass General, Simmons University, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, AYAT College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Dhaka and the government sector to elevate cancer care in Bangladesh. S&S Director Dr. Goodman has made 30 trips to Bangladesh to share her clinical expertise with physicians and nurses.
Collaborators
Oncology Club Bangladesh
The mission of Oncology Club Bangladesh is to improve oncological care, oncological services and oncological set up in the country to ensure quality cancer treatment and care. They organize continuing medical education and initiatives to improve the skills and expertise of cancer care providers with local resources, and foster international collaboration.
Visit their website: www.oncologyclub.org
Related research
Overcoming barriers to women’s cancer care
Gender disparities lead to late diagnosis or poor treatment of diseases like cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer. Our research examines how to improve cancer care for women among vulnerable populations.
Related publications
Akhter, T. , Pervin, S. , Baqui, S. , Ara, R. , Haque, F. , Nigar, T. , Yeasmin, D. , Khan, S. and Goodman, A. (2024) Evaluation of the Factors Associated with Delay in Initiation of Treatment of Advanced Stage Cervical Cancer Patients in Bangladesh. Journal of Cancer Therapy, 15, 381-400. doi: 10.4236/jct.2024.1511035.
Haque, F., Pervin, S. and Goodman, A. (2023) Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Patients and Clinicopathological Features and Survival: A Comparison of Outcomes of Two Age Cohorts in Bangladesh. Journal of Cancer Therapy, 14, 416-428. doi: 10.4236/jct.2023.1410035.
Shahida, S., Chowdhury, M. , Shajahan, F. , Rifat, J. , Lubaba, A. , Shamsuzzaman, S. and Goodman, A. (2023) Distribution of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Genotypes among Women with Colposcopic Diagnosis of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Bangladesh. Journal of Cancer Therapy, 14, 277-290. doi: 10.4236/jct.2023.146023.
Kalam, F., Pervin, S., Joy, K.M.N.I., Islam, J. and Goodman, A. (2021) Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Surgery versus Primary Surgery in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Review of Outcomes at National Institute of Cancer Research Hospital in Bangladesh. Journal of Cancer Therapy, 12, 621-633. https://doi.org/10.4236/jct.2021.1211054
Nigar, T., Goodman, A. & Pervin, S. Total Antioxidant Capacity and Lipid Peroxidation Status in Cervical Cancer Patients Compared with Women Without Cervical Cancer in Bangladesh. Indian J Gynecol Oncolog 19, 60 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40944-021-00560-6
Akhter, T., Pervin,S. and Goodman, A. (2020) Quality of Life in Ovarian-Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy. Journal of Cancer Therapy, 11, 695-714. https://doi.org/10.4236/jct.2020.1111059
Ara R, Khatun S, Pervin S, Jahan M, Shahera U, Ferdous J, Akter Begum S, Fatema S, Begum M, Nazneen S, Goodman A. (2020). Role of Molecular Biomarker Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) E6 Oncoprotein in Cervical Cancer Screening. Gynecologic Oncology 158, 590-596.
Dowla R, Goodman A, Akter S. (2020). Prevalence of Various Cancer-Related Risk Factors among the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar National Community, the Rohingya, in Bangladesh: A Preliminary Assessment. Journal of Cancer Therapy 11, 251-264.
Dowla R, Goodman A, Kashem T. (2019). “Art therapy to improve quality of life of cancer patients and their carers in Bangladesh” Journal of Cancer Therapy 10 (6), 485-470. DOI: 10.4236/jct.2019.106038