A New Era Begins

Dhaka, 23 April 2025: Starting tomorrow, 24 April, icddr,b’s Genome Centre will launch a Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based cancer diagnostic service. This marks a groundbreaking advancement in cancer care in Bangladesh, making precision treatment more accessible and affordable.

How the Service Works

• Advanced Genetic Analysis: It will rapidly and accurately detect genetic mutations in various types of tumors, including breast, lung, colon, ovarian, and blood cancers.
• Faster Results: While foreign laboratories used to take 4 to 5 weeks to deliver reports, this service will provide results in under two weeks.
• International Standards: The service will be conducted using state-of-the-art equipment, rigorous quality control, and internationally trained experts.

Expert Opinions

Dr. Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman, Senior Scientist at icddr,b, said,
“We are committed to providing reliable and affordable cancer diagnostics for the people of Bangladesh.”

The institution’s Executive Director, Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed, stated,
“Our goal is to ensure that no one has to travel abroad for urgent cancer tests anymore.”

Background and Need

A 2025 survey by BSMMU revealed that over 100 people per 100,000 population in Bangladesh are affected by cancer. The most prevalent types include breast, oral, gastric, throat, and cervical cancers.
Due to the lack of fast and reliable testing in the country, many patients face delays in treatment. This new service aims to reduce such delays significantly.

Sample Submission Locations

Samples can be submitted at the following icddr,b centers: Mohakhali, Mirpur, Motijheel, Dhanmondi, Uttara, Niketan, Gulshan, and Baridhara.

Contact Information

For more information, email: icddrbgc@icddrb.org or call: (+880) 17 13 28 80 86