By Dr Evelyn Ho
Photos: Dr Evelyn Ho, Dr S I Bux, Ms Madeleine Pow

This multidisciplinary teaching course (Radiology, Surgery, Clinical Oncology and Pathology) was co-organised by the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) Breast Centre, Malaysian College of Radiology and the Asian Breast Diseases Association (ABDA) and held in the Swiss Garden Resort & Spa, Kuantan, Pahang. 

ABDA is a young association and runs courses committed to a multidisciplinary sharing of knowledge, expertise and experience in the field of breast diseases in the Asian Region. This year, a public forum (showcasing a survivor’s perspective, gender issues and psychological aspects of breast cancer) was also incorporated into the programme and provided an avenue for the healthcare professionals to mingle with the members of the public. The management of breast diseases is a team effort and such a teaching course reinforces the teamwork necessary for the best quality care a patient can have. 

The course included a multidisciplinary quiz, free paper and poster sessions in addition to the series of talks in the various related disciplines. Mammography Workshop for radiographers was also conducted. 

The opening ceremony was officiated by YB Dato’ Maznah Mazlan, Chairman of the Pahang State EXCO Women’s Affairs & Family Development, Culture, Arts and Tourisim on 28 May 2005. There were more than 200 registered participants from various countries in the region.   

The official barbecue dinner on 29 May 2005 was enhanced with the Pahang State Cultural Dance Troupe providing entertainment for the delegates. 

All in all, the meeting was a successful one and the next (4^th) Teaching Course would be in Chiengmai, Thailand in 2006!

Scenes at the ABDA Teaching Course
YB Dato’ Maznah Mazlan with Dr Daniel Makes (Founding President of the ABDA) and Prof Dr Humairah Samad-Cheung (Chairperson of the Organising Committee) at the Hitachi booth	Participants at the Public Forum. From L to R: Ranbir, Barbara, Mei Quin and Datin Rashidah Shuaib. Mei Quin spoke on the survivor’s perspective of breast cancer while Datin Rashidah spoke on Gender Issues in Breast Cancer
Dee Siddhu, breast cancer survivor with Amanita products on display for the public forum	Delegates from Hong Kong
Organising Committee members and volunteers hard at work the day before the ABDA began	L to R: Mrs Makes, Dr Daniel Makes (Indonesia), Dr Lam (Hong Kong) and Prof Dr Humairah Samad Cheung (Malaysia)
Prof Dato’ Dr Md Tahir presents Dr Matin Mellor (Clinical Oncologist) with a token of appreciation at the conclusion of the Non-surgical treatment tract of the ABDA teaching Course. In the background is Dr Gurcharan Singh Khera	A panel discussion after the Surgical Treatment tract. L to R: Dr H. Singh, Dr Nasser Amjad, Ms Pat Gomez, Mr Hisham Abdullah, Mr A Sukari Halim and Mr M. Kannan
Dr Angela Chrisostomo with radiographers during the film critique workshop	Radiographers being shown the finer points of positioning of the breasts during compression mammography