TAWAU: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, followed by colon cancer.
For Tawau Hospital, about 205 new cases of breast cancer are referred every year, said hospital surgeon Dr Tong Yan Lee.
Advertisement
The breast cancer treatment clinic in the Tawau Hospital would serve about 30 patients who are new cases or repeats (review) every week on Wednesday, he said at a press conference at the Tawau Hospital here.
Also present were Dr Nik Noor Athirah Azlan, Dr Intan Aliafatin Mohd Shah and Dr Anis Suraya Muhammad Zulkifli.
Dr Tong said in September and October this year, a medical team of the hospital held a breast cancer awareness roadshow at 10 places here, in Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu.
“A total of 406 people underwent breast cancer screening during the roadshow and 41 of them were referred to the hospital for further screening,” he said.
“In 2018, a total of 546 participants underwent screening during a similar campaign and 58 of them were referred to the hospital for further check-up.
“We will hold a breast cancer awareness campaign every year and about 10 per cent of those who undergo screening would be referred to the hospital,” he added.
He also said the hospital is in urgent need a mammogram machine to enable patients to undergo breast cancer test.
On Nov 2, the hospital’s surgery department, together with Tawau Kinabalu Pink Robbon, Tawau Hospice Association, Rotary Club of Tawau, Tawau Health Clinic and SJKC Sin Hwa Tawau jointly held the district-level Seventh Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign at the school hall.
The programme featured events such as seminars, dance, aerobic Zumba, blood donation, organ donation campaign, free health and breast screening test, exhibitions, lucky draws as well as Pap smear test.
_(1).png)
