November 15, 2011 at 12:00 pm
One of the most common forms of cancer that afflicts many Malaysian women is breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Registry, 1 in every 20 women is likely to get breast cancer in her lifetime. However, many believe that this figure may be incorrect due to the difficulty in obtaining figures and under-reporting of cases. Breast cancer is currently also the leading cause of cancer deaths among the women in Malaysia.
Breast Cancer Welfare Assocation (BCWA) is a voluntary organisation founded in 1986. BCWA believes that a breast cancer survivor can use her experience to help others facing the disease. They are also there to provide emotional, social and material support for those who are suffering from breast cancer and to strengthen the capacity of individuals with breast cancer to self-manage during and after treatment. Survivors and patients would agree that BCWA’s most important objective is to promote public education on general health and breast health issues including early detection of breast cancer.
Though much awareness has been raised to educate the public on breast cancer, there are still many women who find it hard to come forward for screening and annual breast examinations. Those who do seek help in the end often find that their breast cancer has advanced to later stages, where the disease has already spread to other parts of the body, which in turn may cause pre-mature deaths. Women suffering from breast cancer who live in the rural areas may encounter difficulties in obtaining appropriate medical care, prompting them to turn to other alternative medical solutions like visiting the local witch doctor or ‘bomoh’.
Realising the potential difficulties faced by those in the rural areas, BCWA formed a mobile unit called Mobile Unit Reaching Nationwide with Information (MURNI) which is able to provide the required assistance, tools and materials. MURNI offers a three-pronged approach, namely the MURNI Early Detection Programme, MURNI Supportive Care Programme and MURNI Capacity Building Programme.
Even with the presence of a dynamic organisation such as BCWA, nothing can still alleviate the feeling of being diagnosed with breast cancer any better. Once a person is diagnosed with breast cancer, their once normal lives will turn upside down in all ways – physically, mentally and socially. Not only do they have to make drastic changes in their lives, there is the cost factor that these patients have to take into account for whatever treatments that they may need soon. However, early detection and medical treatment during the early stages of breast cancer has many advantages including being able to save the breast, less drastic treatment and treatment costs that indirectly reduces physical, financial and emotional suffering. Most importantly, early detection can help prevent pre-mature deaths.
Playing an important part in helping breast cancer patients in any way possible is Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur (GKL). Being a world-class healthcare provider, GKL offers the best medical facilities to help detect any signs of breast cancer long before its advanced stage. As part of its efforts to the contribution to the society, Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur together with Hilton Kuala Lumpur is set to host a charity dinner show on 20th November 2011. Aptly named ‘A Pink Jazz Affair’, this glitzy dinner is Gleneagle’s first ever ‘pink themed dinner’ and is all set to be the grand finale for the month long breast cancer awareness program. This dinner was conceptualised to commemorate the celebration of health and life and will see performances by Dato’ Sheila Majid and Donne Ray Radford, a renowned singer from the famous band, The Platters.
Guests will not only be entertained by this two legendary artistes throughout the dinner, but also get to take part in a silent auction that features elegant jewellery pieces from Danish jeweler, Pandora; and the exclusive art pieces of the highly revered local artist, Jake Goh. All proceeds from the silent auction goes to the Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA). Tickets for the dinner show are available at RM 250 (for dinner and show) and RM 450 (for dinner and show plus an exclusive Meet Greet session with Dato’ Sheila Majid). For more information, please contact 03 4141 3162 / 3165.
Tags: BCWA, Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Welfare Association, Charity Events, Donne Ray Radford, Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Sheila Majid