DU Correspondent 

A day-long international conference titled " Molecular Insights, Therapeutics Advances & Policy Innovation in Cancer Care " was jointly organized by the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Dhaka, and Cancer Care and Research Trust, Bangladesh  at Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban Auditorium of the university on Thursday. 

The inaugural session of the conference was attended by Professor Dr. Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor. Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) of Dhaka University was present as the special guest. Also present were Professor Dr. Md. Enamul Haque, Dean of the Faculty of Biology of Dhaka University, Prof  Dr. Md. Enamul Haque, Director of Bangladesh Cancer Society Hospital, Professor Dr. M. A. Hai, Director of National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital, Prof  Dr. Md. Jahangir Kabir, and Susan Vise, Representative of UNESCO in Bangladesh. The keynote speaker was Sir Walter Bodmer, Emeritus Professor of the University of Oxford, a world-renowned geneticist.

Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof  Dr. Mamun Ahmed said, "Cancer is not just a disease; it is a long journey that deeply affects the patient, family and society."

He said, "There has already been groundbreaking progress in the prevention and treatment of cancer, one of the world's greatest health challenges. The traditional 'one size fits all ' approach to cancer treatment has come to an end. Instead, precision medicine is being used, which determines individualized treatment based on the biological characteristics of the patient's tumor."

Dr. Mamun Ahmed further said that recent advances in molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology and bioinformatics have opened up new horizons in cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, since these advanced tests and treatments are expensive, people with limited incomes are often deprived of their benefits.