While breast cancer awareness has grown in Malaysia, important visibility gaps remain in the journey of early breast cancer survivors, particularly when it comes to understanding and discussing the risk of recurrence.
For many early breast cancer patients, care and attention taper off after the completion of initial treatment. Survivors often find themselves navigating fragmented post-treatment pathways, with fewer structured touchpoints, limited patient navigation, and reduced opportunities for proactive conversations about their ongoing health.
The risk of recurrence, in particular, remains under-addressed across survivorship programs, leaving a silence in the survivorship phase. This silence leaves many patients and their loved ones uncertain about what to expect beyond active treatment, and without the sustained support and education needed to help them live well and live longer.
A recent Perception Survey commissioned by Novartis revealed that 69% of breast cancer patients are concerned or extremely concerned about the risk of recurrence, yet 45% rarely think about it as it is not often discussed during doctor visits. Furthermore, 78% of breast cancer patients and 60% of the public surveyed feel overall awareness about breast cancer and the risk of recurrence is inadequate. [i]
To close this gap, Project Girls 4 Girls (G4G) Malaysia, OncoCare Cancer Centre at Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara, and Novartis Malaysia came together in a cross-industry collaboration, starting with a focused disease awareness initiative prioritized for early breast cancer survivors and the general public to bring an often-under-discussed conversation to life regarding the risk of recurrence.
The recent event empowered women, caregivers, and families with practical, easy-to-understand information on recurrence risk and long-term care. The session covered what recurrence means, factors that can influence it, and the importance of consistent follow-up with healthcare providers. Participants also heard from a breast cancer survivor who navigated recurrence, underscoring the value of strong support systems and proactive conversations.
“It is deeply concerning that around one in six women with stage II and III (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer will face a recurrence within just three years. i We must and can do better for these survivors and their loved ones who journey alongside them, and Novartis is committed to going beyond survival. Our Perception Survey revealed that only one in three early breast cancer patients feel they have a good quality of life, underscoring a critical need we are determined to address. iii This is why we are working with partners to raise awareness, drive early detection, and improve access to care, staying true to our purpose to improve and extend the lives of over 35 million Malaysians,” Sanjeev Balachandran, Country President of Novartis Malaysia, Brunei and Asia Emerging Markets (AEM).
Fildzah Zulkifli, Deputy Country Lead of G4G Malaysia, highlighted the critical role of community support in driving awareness. She said, “Cancer is scary. More so, being told that your cancer has come back. Having better awareness on breast cancer, especially the risk of recurrence, can make a life-saving difference. We have always believed that women are stronger together and this includes understanding a disease that is so commonly faced by women in Malaysia and across the globe. A strong support system is not just about encouragement, but it is also about accountability and the simple act of reminding each other to prioritise our health.”
The event not only welcomed breast cancer patients and caregivers but all women across Malaysia to spark dialogue with each other as well as trusted healthcare professionals.
According to Dr Ben Yap, Clinical Oncologist, OncoCare at Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara said, “Open, regular dialogue helps patients feel informed, prepared, and confident in managing long-term health. We encourage every patient to ask three simple questions at follow-up visits: ‘Am I at risk of recurrence?’, ‘How can I reduce my risk?’ and ‘Which tests do I need and how often?’.”
He added that women need to be aware all it takes is for one single cancer cell to cause recurrence, and various factors can affect the risk of recurrence. Discussing these factors with a healthcare professional can help guide appropriate monitoring plans over time. Therefore, the need for more proactive conversations, timely follow-up, and community support for women after initial treatment especially those with early breast cancer who may feel “finished” with care but still benefit from ongoing monitoring.
The event equipped attendees with clearer understanding and practical knowledge about the risk of recurrence in breast cancer that they could effectively carry forward and share within their respective communities.
More information on risk of recurrence in early breast cancer, please speak to your healthcare practitioner or download the iCanCare app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
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[i] Novartis Data on file
