Moving on despite having cancer
Survivors banding together to help others in need now
PETALING JAYA: Back in 2011, television news presenter Siow Fei Foong conducted a breast self-examination and found a lump.
Her breast cancer diagnosis was followed by a mastectomy and a lumpectomy in the same year.
“Before I learned more about the disease, I had a lot of fear and uncertainty, mostly of death and of not being able to see my children grow up,” said the cancer survivor.
Siow, 45, who went through six rounds of chemotherapy, is now in her fifth year of remission.
She said that knowledge and courage are paramount in fighting the disease.
“I eventually managed to conquer my fear by learning more about it and getting as much information as I could.
“Because of cancer, I learnt to count my blessings and seize every moment, face what’s in front of me with courage and have faith that life goes on and gets better,” she said at Pantai Hospital’s Wear It Pink Charity Hi-Tea 2016 here.
The function, organised by Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur at Eastin Hotel here in conjunction with breast cancer awareness month, aimed to raise funds for underprivileged breast cancer patients.
For bank officer Lilian Phua, 54, her life post-breast cancer is one filled with zest and friendship.
“In 2008, the doctor said I had stage one breast cancer and I remember feeling so helpless because I did not know who to turn to with my questions,” she said.
Lilian, who is single, initially kept the news under wraps, until her doctor said that she had to go under the knife.
“As I could no longer hide my condition, I decided to tell my parents and they were positive about it,” she said.
In the same year, she underwent a mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery.
“It’s good to join a support group as you’ll find out that you’re not alone.
“What really helped me was joining a group and sharing our experiences and tips, and attending talks to get the right information about cancer,” she said.
Now, eight years on, Phua lives an active lifestyle and has even joined Malaysia’s first dragon boat team of breast cancer survivors.
National Cancer Society of Malaysia principal patron Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, who was also present at the event, said the recent move taken by insurance providers to extend insurance coverage for breast reconstruction surgery is a step in the right direction.
She added that while the Government has withdrawn subsidies for breast prostheses and special mastectomy brassieres used by cancer patients, the public could still do its part to mitigate the difficult transition to normal life for these women by supporting the charitable cause.
The former International Trade and Industry Minister was also delighted that the Government has rolled out a mammogram screening subsidy in Budget 2017, after striking it out from this year’s budget.
Consultant breast surgeon Dr Patricia Gomez said by the end of this year, some 1.7 million women would have been diagnosed with breast cancer, of which half will die.
“However, breast cancer is no longer a death sentence if diagnosed early, as women with breast cancer are now surviving longer and having a better quality of life.
“This is why all women should go for regular screenings and carry out self-examination,” she said.