Experts at a discussion yesterday said there are around 12 lakh cancer patients in the country and two lakh new patients are added annually of which 1.5 lakh patients die due to the disease. If detected earlier, 90 percent cancer is curable especially in the case of cervical and breast cancer, they added. Experts said this at the discussion organised by Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) at the National Museum auditorium to mark the World Cancer Survivors' Day. They further said though treatment of cancer is available in the country and it can be cured if diagnosed early, still a large number of people seek treatment at the advance stage of the disease. Lack of awareness among the people and absence of expert oncologists in peripheral areas hinder cancer patients to be diagnosed and treated earlier, they added. Presided over by DAM President Kazi Rafiqul Alam, the discussion was attended by Amsturdam University Prof Emeritus ABMF Karim and National Professor MR Khan as the special guests. Bangladesh Scouts, Girls Guides, Red Crescent, doctors, nurses and civil society members took part in it. DAM has been observing the day since the last five years with a view to building awareness in the society for the prevention and early detection of cancer and also to develop the treatment facilities for cancer patients. World Cancer Survivors' Day is a worldwide annual celebration of cancer survivors. During the event, participants unite in a symbolic way to show the world that life after a cancer diagnosis even can be a hopeful reality, the speakers added. There is a scarcity of oncologists, well-trained nurses and technician and of course the instrumental support for the treatment of cancer patients in our country. "The government has donated Tk 10 crore for establishing the Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital (AMCH). It has also planned to provide Tk 39 crore through a project to facilitate treatment of the poor people,' said Brig Gen (Retd) MA Malek, adding that the well-off section of the society should also come forward to support the treatment of the patients. The experts recommended to maintain personal hygiene, avoid the use of tobacco, take high fibre-rich diet, avoid rich food, take green leafy vegetable, regular screening of breast and cervical cancer at appropriate age and take early step for the detection of cancer. AMCH Senior Registrar Dr Subrata Mistry presented the keynote paper, while AMCH Joint Director Brig Gen Dr Syed Fazle Rahim and AMCH Managing Director M Fazlur Rahman also spoke. The discussion was followed by a procession that started from in front of the High Court Mazar and ended at the National Museum.