Next-Generation Sequencing can revolutionize cancer care in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has achieved a significant reduction in mortality from infectious diseases but shows a recent increase in cancer morbidity. 1 Cancer awareness is low among the population, and screening programs are vastly insufficient. Due to a lack of proper diagnosis, most cancers get the chance to develop to advanced stages, rendering them difficult to treat. The average 5-year survival rate of cancer patients is 91% if detected at earlier stages and drops to 26% if diagnosed at later stages. 2 Cancer is a genetic disease, meaning that it develops due to alterations in genes. 3 Although Bangladesh has various infrastructures and institutions, there is inadequacy in genetic testing of cancers. Next-generation sequencing can produce extensive genomic information in a short time, 4 analysis of which can reveal disease markers. Integration of next-generation sequencing in cancer diagnosis will lead to rapid and appropriate results, prompting effective treatment. In Bangladesh, estimat