THE battle against breast cancer is not solely on the shoulders of the government and healthcare professionals but the public also plays a pivotal role as well.
State Women, Family & Development, Gender Inclusiveness and Religious Other than Islam Committee chairman Chong Eng said campaigns against breast cancer need to touch the individuals at ground level.
“We need to harness the active support of voluntary organisations and leverage on our community links and networks to achieve the aim.
“With this, it increases the public awareness towards the sickness and at same time assists the patients and families to cope with the medical and psycho-social aspects of the disease.
“This will also help the women realise the importance of yearly check-ups and early detection,” she said in her speech after attending the Clarena’s Breast Cancer Awareness campaign at Aspen Experience Centre in Tanjung Bungah on Saturday.
According to a survey by the Federal Government in May this year, Penang recorded the highest number of breast cancer cases.
Hence, Chong Eng stressed that it was important to make the people in the state be more aware of the illness.
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women globally.
“According to Cancer Research Malaysia last year, two million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said.
Chong Eng said state has shown its commitment by providing free mammogram screening to women aged above 40, adding that the public needs to be educated about the disease.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix courtesy of YB Chong Eng’s office