KUCHING: The Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching (SCAN) was honoured by Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah
Abdullah when she attended their second anniversary fundraising
dinner on Wednesday night at Sarawak Club.
The occasion was also used to launch a book entitled ‘So You Have Cancer – What Now?’ – a guide for cancer patients written with the
collaboration of cancer survivors.
In her speech, Fatimah congratulated SCAN for making the welfare and needs of cancer patients the core of their initiatives.
“Although SCAN is the new kid on the block compared to other cancer-related associations here, it has proven to be impactful in its efforts,” she said.
“SCAN used the power of social media to reach out and network with the public, to encourage cancer patients to face treatment
with courage.
It is estimated that one in four Malaysians get cancer by the age of 75.
“Hence we all need to be prepared and brace for cancer as it has become prevalent,” she said.
SCAN has carried out a dozen awareness talks in the past two years. It has reached out to multiple organisations – to raise awareness of cancer. Fatimah said these awareness events will no doubt bring about better understanding.
“At my ministry, we hope efforts like these will eventually encourage more people to be aware of signs and symptoms of cancer,” she said.
Fatimah also commented on SCAN’s noble intention to carry out advocacy initiatives to elevate issues affecting cancer communities.
“SCAN produced a report recently to highlight findings of an online cancer awareness survey. The survey is a commendable effort to help the government assess the scope of support that can be provided at the state-level,” she said.
On the book that was launched, she said as a guide for cancer patients it was quite useful and informative.
Also present at the dinner weres SCAN advisor, Datin Dayang Mariani Abang Zain; SCAN president, Sew Boon Lui; SCAN medical advisor, Dr Chew Lee Ping; Sarawak General Hospital head and consultant medical oncologist (Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology), Dr Voon Pei Jye; SCAN Vice president Stephen Yeo; and Associate Professor Dr Fitri Suraya Mohd (chief editor for the book).
