Breast Self-Examination Among M'sian Women Lacking, Says Shahrizat

SERDANG, Aug 26 (Bernama) -- Sixty-five percent of Malaysian women aged 15 to 49 years have never done breast self-examination for the past three months, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil said Friday.
She a recent study done by her ministry had found that only 34 per cent of women had ever done a breast self-examination.
To make matter worse, breast cancer cases were only referred for medical attention when its was much too late, she said.
"Women not only need to practice regular breast self-examination but also should be equipped with the skills to detect and treat breast lumps at an early stage," she said in her keynote address when launching Breast Cancer Educational Materials in Bahasa Malaysia, here.
Breast cancer, according to the minister had become an important issue nowadays and that more up-to-date information in Bahasa Malaysia was needed for women, especially in the rural areas to know how to examine their breasts for signs of the disease.
"Information allows women to make informed decisions on the need for treatment and to take control of their own affairs," she added.
Experience in developed countries, she said had shown that information and educational intervention could improve the quality of life for women significantly.
The materials in Bahasa Malaysia is a collaborative work by University Putra Malaysia and Cornell University in the United States.
They are available at all hospitals and cancer centres nationwide.