Dhaka: Cervical and breast cancer prevention week began on Sunday aiming to create awareness among women so that they can prevent the diseases.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim inaugurated the programme at Jatiya Press Club in the capital.

Nasim said the government has already introduced cervical and breast cancer screening services at 373 healthcare centres across the country so that women can get service free of cost.

He said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and 14 other hospitals are now providing better treatments of cervical and breast cancers to patients.

The Health Minister said as the government is committed to reach healthcare at the doorstep of every people, it has been working sincerely to ensure treatments of cervical and breast cancer patients at marginal level.

According to official data, about 15,000 women are affected from breast cancer each year in Bangladesh. Of them, over 7,000 die and around 12,000 women are affected from cervical cancer each year in the country.

UNFPA representative to Bangladesh Argentina Metavel Piccin, BSMMU vice chancellor  Kamrul Hasan Khan and Health Service director general Deen Mohammad Noorul Huq, among others, spoke on the occasion.