KUCHING: Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah has asked women to cast shyness aside and get screened for breast cancer early.
She said early screening is crucial as it will help increase chances of recovery with treatment.
“We cannot deny that the shy feeling exists among women and that is because unbuttoning your clothes in front of medical staff can be unnerving.
Fatimah, speaking to reporters after the programme.
“However, we want to tell them that this is a normal process, do not be shy towards those who are on duty conducting the test, as that is their job to do so,” she said.
She said this after officiating at a Charity Sales Week for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the launching of Kone Imaging (Screening for Breast Cancer) here on Wednesday (Oct 4).
“Compared to developed countries, Sarawak still lacks awareness when it comes to early screen tests for breast cancer.
“If we look at most cases, when it is detected, it is already too late as the cancer is either stage three or four.
“That is the thing that we want to change, we want more women to come forward to do the early screen test in order to help us reduce stage three and four cases,” she added.
Cases of breast cancer have increased from 360 in 2019 to 469 in 2022, based on data from the Oncology and Radiotherapy Department of Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), according to Fatimah.
Fatimah (centre) visiting some of the booths.
“We have seen this cases increase due to the awareness among our women in the community on breast cancer.
“That is why it is important for awareness programmes and advocacy work to be held by the hospital, non governmental organisations and our Ministry as well, especially if it involves the rural community,” he added.
Also present during the ceremony was deputy director of SGH Dr Hayati Jaafar and consultant expert of breast and endocrine surgery Dr Adibah Ali.
