Stars join cancer fight

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Seven local women celebrities are all geared up for a special promotional event – spreading awareness about cervical cancer.
The “Take Action” awareness and educational campaign was launched yesterday to help educate women about the disease, said to be the second most common cancer affecting them, and the second leading cause of cancer death in women.
Leading the effort are actress Ida Nerina, fashion guru Gillian Hung, TV personalities Bernie Chan and Celina Khor, deejay Marion Caunter, stage presence coach Fatimah Abu Bakar, and former Miss Malaysia Kavita Kaur.
The campaign, a follow-up from last year's “Tell Someone” cervical cancer awareness campaign, is a direct call to women to act upon the knowledge they have about the disease and Human Papillomavirus-related diseases.
National Cancer Society of Malaysia executive director Dr Saunthari Somasundaram said the aim was to “reach out to and educate young women to be on guard against the disease.
“Last year's campaign was significant as a start was made. This year, we believe we can do better to help prevent this form of cancer,” she said at the launch here yesterday.
Speaking in support of the campaign, Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Malaysia president Dr Abdul Aziz Yahya said women must understand the severity of cervical cancer and Human Papillomavirus-related diseases, and “how a simple visit to their doctors can help prevent it.”
“Protection is always better than treatment and cervical cancer is a preventable disease. So, go for your pap smear test,” he said.
There will be roadshows, interactive gatherings, seminars and role-play sessions at colleges throughout the campaign period.
For details, visit www.tellsomeone.com.my