One in 19 women likely to get breast cancer

Malay Mail:National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) executive director Dr Saunthari Somasundaram said most of the 6,000 breast cancer cases reported here annually were from those aged 35 to 50.
"However, statistics from Western countries indicate that 80 per cent of those afflicted are above 50 years old," she said.
Dr Somasundaram was speaking at the launching of a breast cancer awareness campaign organised by final year students of the Bachelor of Communications degree programme at Taylor’s College yesterday.
Present at the launch were the campaign’s official spokesman, model Amber Chia, and Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA) committee member Margaret Ooi. The latter is also a breast cancer survivor.
Dr Somasundaram said the difference in age groups of breast cancer sufferers between Asian and Malaysian women is not known.
"However, this could be linked to the fact that Asian women experience puberty at a younger age than Caucasians. Research has shown that women who experience puberty younger have higher chances of developing breast cancer," she said.
She said that statistics show that one in 19 Malaysian women is likely to develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
"One of the ways to combat the disease is by raising awareness among the female population, such as the ‘Sense With Your Hands. Start Young" campaign launched by Taylor’s College students," said Dr Somasundaram.
Early detection, she said, can cure 90 per cent of all cases.
"But the lack of awareness about breast self-examination techniques means that most cases are detected only in their advanced stages," said Dr Somasundaram.
Campaign project director Priscilla Choy said the four-day programme is to eradicate the belief among the younger generation, particularly college students, that breast cancer will not affect them.
"We also want to encourage young women to learn about the process of breast cancer self-examination for early detection," said Choy.