WOMEN, especially those in the rural areas, do not go for mammograms, even though their names have been registered for the purpose, mainly because they are shy, Perak Social Welfare, Women and Family Development Committee chairman Dr Wan Norashikin Wan Noordin.

She said the mammogram subsidy programme carried out by the government since 2007 is aimed at encouraging women to undergo the test for early detection of breast cancer.

Based on statistics released by the Perak National Population and Family Development Board, 23,218 women were registered for the programme but only 19,828 of them went for the mammogram between 2013 and September 2019.

“For 2021, a total of 1,031 women were registered and only 880 went for the mammogram. Women should not be shy to go for the mammogram as it can help save their lives,” Wan Norashikin told a press conference after opening a public talk and workshop for breast cancer patients in Ipoh today.

The programme was organised by the Pink Ribbon Wellness Foundation (PRWF) and the Pink Champion Association of Perak.

Wan Norashikin said there are six medical centres in the state that have mammogram facilities, among them in Ipoh, Taiping and Teluk Intan.

She said in 2020, the Perak government allocated RM443,500 for the mammogram subsidy programme.

PRWF patron Maniseh Adam said the foundation will provide free external breast prosthesis, worth RM250, to 100 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, especially those living in the rural areas, to help improve the quality of their life.

“Besides that, PRWF is also working with Beacon Hospital to provide free chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer patients,” she said.

“The treatment is expected to cost between RM10,000 and RM30,000 and for a start, we are targeting 30 patients.” – January 22, 2022.