By Soo Ewe Jin, 19 April 2006

I remember April 19, 1999 as if it were only yesterday. That was the day I was "zapped" in radiotherapy, the first of 35 sessions spread over seven weeks, daily except for weekends. It has been seven years since. 

At my last check-up early this month, my doctors felt a suspicious lump in the neck area, but after much investigation, declared me still in total remission. Cancer survivors, or cancer champions as the late Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood referred to us, often live with the possibility of "the return" of the Big C. Some are crippled by this fear, and cease to live, despite being given a clean bill of health. Many, however, carry on life much as normal, while a few will discover passion and a renewed zest for life. 

I reflect on this today not just because of the significance of the date but also to encourage a friend who has just started his treatment. He is optimistic. So are the doctors. I have faith that he will cruise through. I have seen many such journeys. I have experienced many inspiring moments. And quite a few heart-wrenching ones.  

But the real stories are not about living or dying. The best stories are those that celebrate life.  

Imagine an old Chinese lady, past 80 years old, walking through the backlane daily to bring comfort to the neighbourhood makcik, a Muslim convert, who has recently completed her treatment for breast cancer. Imagine a single mother organising a yearly ward party at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, complete with nasi kandar, even after her child has successfully completed treatment for leukaemia. 

Imagine someone in her 50s, who has worked a lifetime as a nurse for cancer patients, now taking on new responsibilities to train others to do the job. Imagine the longest surviving leukaemia patient in the country giving dance and singing lessons to students young and old.  

But beyond the anecdotal heart-and-soul stuff, let me make a suggestion which I hope those in authority, be it in the public or private sector, will take into consideration. 

The key to the battle against cancer is early discovery and treatment. I would like to suggest that every company and government department mark a day in the calendar whereby all staff are given time off to do their annual breast examination, mammograms and pap smears. Experts can also be called in to talk about symptoms to watch out for in the case of other cancers.  Make it a fun day. It could be the CEO's birthday or that of a famous Malaysian celebrity. When people go in groups, much of the discomfort disappears.  

Imagine all the women staff lining up, being able to chat with one another, while they wait for the pap smear test in the company's boardroom. Contrast that with one anxious worker waiting alone in an unfriendly gynaecologist's office. 

Every company or department can be as creative as it wants to be. Is there a cost? Would it be considered too pantang, as someone has asked me? Well, think of the cost to the company when someone really comes down with cancer at a late stage when early detection could have saved money and, more importantly, saved lives. 

Let's take cancer out of the closet. 

Note: Ewe Jin rejoined the workforce one year after his cancer treatment and is today Editor of Sunday Star

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