Early detection can save lives
PETALING JAYA: In Malaysia, four out of every 10 newly diagnosed breast cancer cases are in the late stages (stage three and four).
Given the alarming statistics, it is imperative for women to undergo breast cancer screenings regularly.
To mark Breast Cancer Awareness month, Star Media Group (SMG), held a Cancer Awareness Day programme yesterday to highlight the importance of cancer screenings among its staff. The programme was held in collaboration with the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM).
Among the highlights of the programme were five “pocket talks” on The Dangers of High Consumption of Sugar, Meats and Cancer Risk Factors, Smoking Cessation Approach, Breast Self-Examinations and Testicular Self-Examination.
There were also a clinical breast examination and a pap-smear examination for SMG staff as well as other tests such as a smokerlyzer test, targeted at smokers, to measure the amount of carbon monoxide in their lungs.
SMG senior database support executive Siti Aminah Ibrahim found the talks useful as she learnt ways to reduce sugar consumption in her diet. She also took the opportunity to undergo a pap-smear and clinical breast examinations.
“It is important for women to do regular breast self-examination tests and those above 40 years old to sign up for mammograms,” said Siti Aminah.
NCSM assistant manager (health education, literacy, promotion and policy) Kenneth Low hopes the programme helped raise awareness on health issues, especially cancer.
“In Malaysia, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Most of the time, people tend to take their health for granted.
“There’s also a common assumption that ‘it won’t happen to me’. But we want to increase awareness on how early detection is so important in breast cancer survival,” said Low.
SMG chief content officer Esther Ng said that the company advocates for breast cancer awareness as breast cancer is the number one killer among women.
“The best way to take down an enemy is to get to know it and be aware of how we can fight it. We walk with Malaysia to push for the awareness of breast cancer, to empower ourselves with knowledge first,” she said. Read the inspiring stories of three young cancer survivors who share their cancer journey with the hope of empowering women to be more breast aware. The stories are part of StarLifestyle’s week-long campaign to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.