The Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation (TLJCF) has launched the Think Pink programme, which aims to raise public awareness about breast health and the importance of early breast cancer detection.
The TLJCF, with the assistance of the TLJCF Community Volunteer Team and members of the TLJCF Cancer Support Group, will hold a breast cancer awareness exhibition in several different locations throughout Johor in October and November to educate the public, particularly women, about the importance of performing breast self-examination (PSP) once a month, as well as a mammogram examination once a year for those at risk.
The Think Pink programme Launch Ceremony was officiated by Ling Tian Soon, chairman of the Johor State Health and Unity Committee, and Hajah Khairin-Nisa Ismail @ Md On, chairman of the Johor State Women, Family, and Community Development Committee, at KPJ Johor Specialist Hospital Johor Bahru.
Mohd Ikmal Izam Zaini, Chief Executive Officer of Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation, Ahmad Solihin Mohammed Yusoff, Deputy President, Human Resources, Procurement, Information Technology, and GA Plan, Lotte Chemical Titan (M) Sdn. Bhd., and Asmadi Mohd Bakri, Chief Executive Officer of KPJ Southern Region 1, KPJ Healthcare Southern Region, were also present at the launch ceremony.
According to Mohd Ikmal, the Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report has reported that the total cases of stage 3 and 4 breast cancer increased from 43.2%, in 2007-2011 to 47.9% in 2012-2016.
Thus, the main objective of the Think Pink programme is to provide public awareness related to breast cancer and the importance of early detection of breast cancer through exhibitions in several locations around Johor, through social media, radio broadcasts and digital billboards.
“A total of 700 mammogram slots are offered to women living in Johor with a household income below RM4,000 or the B40 group. As the mammogram slots offered are limited, priority is given to women at risk such as having a family history of breast cancer and aged between 40 and 70 years old,” said Mohd Ikmal.
The Think Pink programme also received full support from Lotte Chemical Titan (M) Sdn Bhd, the programme’s main sponsor, with an RM150,000.00 contribution. Yayasan Johor Corporation also contributed RM25,000.00 for biopsy surgery slots, which will be performed if participants’ mammogram results are abnormal. Furthermore, KPJ Healthcare Wilayah Selatan is a Think Pink official partner, providing mammogram screening slot implementation services.
“It is hoped that the programme will raise public awareness about the importance of breast health and early screening for breast cancer,”
“Although screening will not change the likelihood that the cancer is present, screening is done to detect cancer in its earliest stages because it is easier to treat and can reduce the risk of death,” TLJCF’s statement concludes.
