Dancing their way to health

Star: UNLESS informed, one would mistake the cancer awareness programme held on Saturday at 1 Utama's New Wing for a dance workshop.
People of all ages beamed as they danced freely at the event titled “Dancing Through the Ages,” organised by NCI Cancer Hospital, Soroptimist Inter-national Club of Damansara and the shopping centre.
Among the dancers were the hospital's staff who broke the common image of medical personnel to show that exercise is vital to health.
Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, who officiated at the event, said one should be healthy physically, and also mentally, socially and spiritually.
“It has to be holistic. Not only must your body be strong, but you should be able to handle stress,” she explained.
She advised attendees to adopt a balanced lifestyle, adding that “excesses” in today's lifestyle had caused health problems.
She said medical checkups must be conducted routinely, adding that Malaysia was recording 40,000 new cancer cases every year, 2,400 of which were breast cancer.
“The National Cancer Institute estimates that by the age of 50, one out of every 50 women will develop breast cancer,” she added.
“You must know your family's medical history and mustn't ignore the signals from your body and, most importantly, do checkups and screenings routinely,” she said, adding that women must do pap smears and mammogram tests, while men should beware of prostate cancer.
“The government is aware that the main deterrent against breast cancer screening is the relatively high cost. Therefore, under the Budget, the government will provide a RM50 subsidy for every mammogram done in private clinics and hospitals registered with the National Population and Family Development Board from next year onwards,” she added.
NCI Cancer Hospital medical director Dr G. Selvaratnam said one third of commonly occurring cancers could be prevented with a healthy lifestyle.
He added that early detection could improve chances of survival by 80%.
The event continued until about 5pm with a series of dancing sessions brought forward by several dance organisations. Dr Selvaratnam also gave an hour-long talk on breast cancer awareness later in the evening.