Headline :Go for regular breast checks

NST
Date :02/10/2004
Page :13
Byline :By R.S. Kamini
Type : News

KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - This is one cliche that needs to be repeated - prevention is better than cure.
Just consider that one in 19 women in the country is diagnosed with breast cancer every year.
So ladies, go for that mammogram at least once every two or three years, because the good news is that breast cancer can be cured if it is detected early.
Malaysian Oncological Society (MOS) president Dr Gurcharan Singh said though breast cancer was no longer uncommon, a survey carried out in the Klang Valley last July revealed shocking details.
"About 65 per cent of 1,200 women we asked rarely if ever performed self-breast examination, and 79 per cent weren't even aware of mammography and tumour markers."
"A significant number of women actually think that radiotherapy and chemotherapy are dangerous and more than 90 per cent agreed that alternative medication is more effective."
Experts from MOS emphasise that breast cancer can be cured by detecting it early by mammography or self-examination.
Dr Gurcharan was speaking after the launch of the "Care for your Bosom Buddies" campaign at Hotel Istana today.
The awareness campaign, opened by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad, comprises the awareness survey, public forums, and an exhibition, as well as the official launch of the MOS website.
The website contains information on types of cancer, detection, curative measures and myths about cancer.
Visit www.malaysiaoncology.org for details.
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