Stick to modern cancer treatment, advises doctor

NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Do not turn to traditional treatment to cure cancer.
The National Cancer Society’s consultant radiologist, Dr Sulaiman Tamanang, said women with breast cancer especially should stick to scientifically-proven modern medicine or procedures.
"Most of the patients seek traditional treatment first and then only modern treatment, but by then, the disease has reached a critical stage."
Statistics show that one in 19 Malaysian women is likely to develop breast cancer.
Dr Sulaiman cited a case where a patient opted to undergo traditional treatment for one year.
"She and her husband went all over the world in search of treatment. When they finally returned home to get modern treatment, it was already too late."
Breast cancer, said Dr Sulaiman, was a curable disease if detected early but many patients feared disfigurement if the breast had to be removed.
"Medical advances now provide ways to reconstruct the breast," said Dr Sulaiman.
Yesterday, 42 single mothers participated in a free mammogram and pap smear programme organised by the society and Wanita Umno’s Social Development and Welfare Bureau.