Breast cancer tops in Sabah: Azizah
Published on: Monday, October 27, 2014
KOTA KINABALU: Breast cancer cases were the highest in Sabah at 21.3 per cent compared to other types of cancer, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Azizah Dun."In Malaysia, breast cancer is the main type of cancer that causes death among women. Based on the national cancer statistics in 2008, breast cancer incidents in Malaysia records 32.3 per cent for every 100,000 women. "In Sabah, the incidents of breast cancer cases are 19.4 per cent for every 100,000 women," said Azizah who officiated at the State-level "Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer" event at Avon Inanam on Sunday.
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The event was held in conjunction with the Breast Cancer Awareness month, which is celebrated annually in October. The collaboration between the National Population and Family Development Board and Avon Cosmetics (M) Sdn Bhd drew the attention of 5,737 women to undergo clinical breast checks, to the point of winning the Malaysia Book of Record as "The Largest Mobile Breast Cancer Check Up Event" in 2013. This is their second collaboration.The programme started since October 11 in Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Kedah, Sabah, Sarawak and Pahang. As a result, more than 700 women have benefited from the National Population and Family Development Board's six mobile clinics.Their family members also benefit through the programme as there are also Mobile CTC health check-ups, HPV vaccination for teenagers, counselling and a Mamacare programme for the whole family. Azizah highlighted the importance of paying attention to one's health and the government provides support for such cause.
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Among them include subsidising mammogram screenings, transportation to undergo the screenings, food and drink allowance to those who need to travel as far as 200km for the screenings, accommodation to those who need it, and also teaching women how to detect cancer at its early stage. Women aged 40 and above and those with risk of getting breast cancer are given priority. Those aged between 35 to 39 years old with family history of the disease are also given assistance.
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In the early stages of subsidising, RM50 is entitled for a woman who has a household income of RM5,000 and below, while those with a household income of RM10,000 and below will be allowed to take this test for free.There are 62 non-government mammogram centres that are registered under this programme.It costs RM100 in Peninsula and RM110 in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.In the State, the programme has started since 2009 through the Raffelsia Medical Centre and Damai Specialist Hospital."Since then, about 10,577 mammogram tests have been conducted and about 66 cancer cases have been recorded."This initiative had saved many lives as 204 women who were found with breast cancer have undergone the necessary treatment to get better. In addition, women who undergo the Program Subsidi Ujian Mamogram are entitled to a free Pap Smear test at any one of the 59 National Population and Family Development Board's Nur Sejahtera clinics."Do not be ashamed or afraid to undergo these tests. Nine out of 10 breast cancer cases have been detected through mammogram screenings."In 2012, about 5,410 new breast cancer cases have been recorded. This figure was accompanied by 2,572 deaths in Malaysia."Women aged between 50 to 54 years old is at the top of the list with 975 cases followed by women aged between 45 to 49 years old with 896 cases, followed by those aged 55 to 59 years old (822 cases), 15 to 39 years old (693 cases), 40 to 44 years old (641 cases), 65 to 69 years old (356 cases), and 70 to 74 years old (227 cases).Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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