‘Breast cancer risk hits one in 31 Malaysian women’

KUALA LUMPUR: One in 31 women in Malaysia are at risk of contracting breast cancer.
Speaking at the Second Women's Health Summit 2014 on Tuesday, organising chairman Dr Patricia Gomez said the incidence of cancer in the country was increasing at an alarming rate from 32,000 new cases in 2008 to 37,000 in 2012 with the number expected to go up to 56,932 by 2025 if no action is taken.
"With over three million women battling breast cancer today worldwide, it is worrying. If the disease is diagnosed, the chances of survival is good."
In her 20 years of practising and attending to hundreds of patients, she said there was still a need for continuous awareness of the disease.
National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) principle patron Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said women should understand their own body and take all measures to improve their well-being.
"While the government is committed to support the agenda of women's health as well as their active representation on corporate boards, Malaysian women must do their part by taking their health seriously," she said.
This year, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur donated RM40,00 in total (RM10,000 each) in the form of breast prostheses for post-mastectomy patients to National Cancer Society (NCSM), Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia (SCWA), Persatuan Kanser Network Selangor & Federal Territories (KanWork) and NCD Alliance Malaysia.
These NGOs provide emotional, practical and information support to those diagnosed with cancer, their families and friends through its cancer care programmes and services nationwide.
Also present was Ministry of Health family health development division director Puan Dr Safurah Jaafar.