THERE is lack of breast cancer awareness in rural areas, where many women have been diagnosed in the advanced stages, said Pink Ribbon Wellness Foundation founder Yong Lee Lee.

She told The Malaysian Insight that the lack of awareness is acute in the east coast.

“(In the) east coast, many women are diagnosed at advanced stages (Stages 3 and 4),” she said, adding that fear and stigma attached to the cancer are the most common issues among women in rural areas.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Malaysia, totalling 34% of all cancer cases among female folk.

More than 8,400 new cases are diagnosed each year, with more than 3,500 deaths reported in the same period.

Yong said based on National Cancer Registry Report data, breast cancer incidences are increasing among younger women, too.

A total of 47.9% of women had advanced stage breast cancer between 2012 and 2016, compared with 43.2% between 2007 and 2011.

Yong said: “This is a 1.17% increase in cases per year, with 52% of cases involving younger women who are significantly under 49.”

Breast cancer can be treated if diagnosed early and survival chances are promising thanks to improvements in screening, treatment and prevention, she added.

She said many awareness activities are held in October – the Breast Cancer Awareness month.

“These awareness campaigns should be a continuing effort by all corporate companies and civil society groups to remind all above-40s women to have a mammogram screening done once a year and breast self-examination once a month.

She said women as young as 20 should make this a habit, adding that “early detection saves lives and minimises medical fees.”

The Pink Ribbon Wellness Foundation advocates regular breast screening for early cancer detection, actively organises lectures on various treatment options by experts and provides supportive care.

The foundation, along with 18 breast cancer support groups nationwide, spearheaded the formation of Pink Ribbon Alliance in 2015.

Health Ministry statistics show that breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in Malaysia at 19%, followed by colorectal cancer (13.5%) and lung cancer (9.8%).

Cancer was the main cause of deaths at private hospitals (33.19%) and fourth highest cause of death in government hospitals (12.18%) in 2019. – January 6, 2022.