Separating facts from assumptions
BREAST cancer continues to be the most common form of cancer in women worldwide. According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, it makes up 25% of all cancer diagnoses in women globally.
The local front mirrors global patterns, with the Malaysian National Cancer Registry Report 2007-2011 reporting that one out of every 30 women is at risk of getting breast cancer.
Though women above the age of 40 are generally deemed to be at higher risk of developing breast cancer, the disease has been reported among younger women, proving that breast cancer transcends age.
It is with knowing such alarming facts that all women should conduct self-examinations regularly or seek medical confirmation on an annual basis to be able to detect the disease early and have better chances of positive treatment results.
Rather surprisingly, there is still a large number of women who are being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer despite the fact that Malaysia is among the upper middle-income nations.
Preconceived fears
Dr Yap Beng Khiong, consultant clinical oncologist at Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care (Subang Jaya Medical Centre), agrees that there is an increased level of breast cancer awareness among Malaysian women due to extensive media coverage, access to the Internet and social media, but he acknowledges that not everyone has access to top facilities that can provide diagnostic tests and specialist care.
He also believes there are various factors that hamper Malaysian women’s desire to act such as social and cultural beliefs. Consequently, free mammography screenings that are organised by the Government or societies tend to receive poor turnouts.
“When talking about breast cancer, there is a range of aspects to consider such as body image as well as the views of family members and spouses. They may also have fears of losing their breasts and this fear factor is very big.
“Another issue is cultural belief and the stigma associated with breast cancer. Some women will first try alternative medicine as they fear the side effects of conventional treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation.
“There are many factors involved but these are the main reasons for most patients who do not seek early help,” says Dr Yap.
Based on his experience, he also warns women not to base their understanding of breast cancer purely on what is available online as one will experience an information overload.
He stresses that there is nothing better than having a trained specialist for professional medical guidance.
More to be done
The high number of advanced breast cancer reports in Malaysia sparks the need for even more awareness campaigns, roadshows and media involvement to urge more women to be wary about their breast health.
Dr Yap says, “The only way to address the issue is by continuously disseminating this information.
“The media plays a big part in promoting breast cancer awareness, including activities such as Pink October, and encouraging women who have any breast lumps or symptoms that are suggestive of breast cancer to seek help early – and this cannot be emphasised enough.”
Recognising that more advanced cases of breast cancer seem to be reported in public hospitals compared to private facilities, Dr Yap suggests for more activities to be organised by societies at the community level as well as in schools or shopping malls instead of being concentrated in big cities such as Kuala Lumpur.
Stressing that women should not wait before being diagnosed, he
Some women will first try alternative medicine as they fear the side effects of conventional treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation. There are many factors involved but these are the main reasons for most patients who do not seek early help.
says, “Earlier diagnosis leads to better outcomes and better survival, there is no doubt about that.”
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