International Women Day, first thing first, go for your check up!

Subsidized Mammogram Program

In view that the International Women Day is just around the corner and my recent medicalcheck-up at the SJMC, I have decided to do a post on Breast Cancer in order to create awareness on the nation's topkiller disease amongst women.

The ultra modern equipment that are available at private hospitals nowadays are those with the latest cutting technology and are amongst the most advance in the country, if not the world. The Digital Mammogram and High Resolution Ultra Sound can pick up almost anything that is inside our breasts. Then again, nothing comes cheap. You pay top dollars to have a peace of mind.

In order to help the middle and lower income group of Malaysians, the Government has come up with a subsidy program for women to do mammogram screening at the appointed clinics and hospitals around the country.

"Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women in Malaysia. Women aged 40 and above are encouraged to undergo mammogram screening apart from performing self breast examination and clinical breast examination" - exclaimed from the official website of the Ministry of Lembaga Penduduk dan Pembangunan Keluarga Negara Malaysia.

I urge that all women to adhere to the above advice to undergo regular mammogram screening. However, there is this category of women who belong to this high risk group for breast cancer.

Fulfillment of any one of the following matching factors will qualify a person into that category:

(a) Family history of breast cancer
i. Mother, sisters or daughters ever had breast cancer before the age of 50 years; and
ii. Two or more maternal or paternal relatives ever had breast cancer (grandmother, aunt, niece)
(b) Previous history of atypia on breast biopsy;
(c) Previous history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer; or
(d) Currently on hormone replacement theraphy

OR having any two of the following factors:

(a) Family history of ovarian cancer
i. Mother, sister or daughters ever had ovarian cancer before the age of 50 years; and
ii. Two or more maternal or paternal relatives ever had ovarian cancer (grandmother, aunt, niece)
(b) Women who have no children or who had their first child after the age 30 years; or
(c) Had her first menstrual period before the age of 12; or
(d) Body Mass Index of more than 30

For more information and registration for the above Subsidized Mammogram Program, please visit their Website.

Remember, early detection saves lives.