Participant Profile & Analysis of the 2006 Mammogram Programme By State
A total of 495 women benefited from the programme.

In Johor, we were able to serve the smaller towns, Kota Tinggi, Pontian, Kluang, in particular Segamat in addition to Johor Bahru. 93% of the participants were from Johor, while 4.8% were from Pahang and 2.2% from Terengganu.

The programme run by the IIUM Breast Centre in Kuantan ran from 2 October 2006 to 18 January 2007. They served northern Johor state as well as Terengganu and Pahang. The other centre was Puteri Specialist Hospital in Johor Bahru.

The participants were Chinese (67%), Malays (25%) and Indians (8%).

The mean age of the participants was 50 years while participants ranged from 39 years to 79 years of age. The target group was achieved with 88% of the participants ranging from 40-59 years of age.

82% of participants were first timers in undergoing a mammogram examination.

Overall adjunct ultrasound (complementary to the mammogram) was done in 36% of the participants. Adjunct or complementary ultrasound is useful in delineating possible abnormalities in the mammogram and for use in dense breasts as well as where there is a discrepancy in the mammography reading and the presenting symptom and sign in the patient. However, ultrasound by itself is not recommended as a routine screening tool for cancer.

Only 9.5% of the participants had positive family history but none of these were found to have breast cancer had positive family history. This is in concordance with the observation that only 5-10% of breast cancer patients have a family history of breast cancer.

The majority of the patients had either normal or benign findings on the mammograms (85%).

12.3% were in the probably benign/indeterminate group, while 0.6% were slightly suspicious and only 1.8% was highly suspicious.

For the first time, the CMP also funded five (5) image guided core biopsies at IIUM Breast Centre for the women from the rural areas and one of them also had fine needle biopsy/aspiration of an axillary lymph node. Of these, 2 were proven positive for breast cancer. These were those with highly suspicious findings on their mammograms.

Proven Breast Cancers (on Tissue Diagnosis)
Both the women with biopsy proven breast cancer were Chinese and from Johor (Segamat and surrounding regions). Both happened to be 52 years of age. They had 4 and 6 children respectively and both also breastfed their children. The former had tubular carcinoma and the latter, invasive ductal carcinoma.

All women should be aware of their breasts as these women did not seem to have any risk factors other than their ethnic group.

Professor Dr Humairah once again reported a programme with positive outcome. Feedback from the patients was encouraging, and they were happy that the program was held. They hope that the programme will be held on an annual basis!

Doris Wee, President of the Breast Cancer Support Group JB and our coordinator in Johor Bahru, also lauds the programme and hopes it will continue.

Special thanks to Maria Kinson, Vice President of the Segamat Breast Cancer Support Society for coordinating and selection of eligible participants for the CMP. Most of the participants from Segamat and surrounding areas had their mammograms in IIUM Breast Centre.

It was a great help for these women to know the value added mammogram, with adjunct ultrasound and complementary mammogram views were affordable at RM30-50 per participant. This included counselling and for the IIUM participants, 5 of them who needed further diagnostic workup, benefited from a diagnostic procedure under image guidance (Ultrasound or mammogram) to confirm non palpable suspicious findings. These helped the ladies from the rural areas, who did not have proven breast cancer from having to be referred to the larger centres for their biopsy and follow up procedures.

We need to reach out to the rural areas but our resources are limited. Even so, this has not stopped us from trying, and with funding, we may continue to improve the quality of the CMP including the range of services so that women after their mammogram will come to a conclusive finding, albeit taking small steps at a time!

This way, only biopsy proven breast cancer patients will be referred to our government, academic or private centres for further treatment. We continue to look into ensuring minimal anxiety for women who access our value added CMP. Counselling with immediate results from their mammography examination goes a long way in reducing anxiety of waiting for their results or having to receive a phone call some weeks away!

 

<<< Back to 2006 Subsidised Mammogram Programme Report

“Please don’t stop the subsidised mammogram programme!”


“The CoR Subsidised Mammogram
Programme has been much anticipated in
Johor as previously
many of our ladies had
to go to Singapore or other states in Malaysia for their mammograms. There are many who
were unable to access
the CMP in 2005 and we hope that the College of Radiology will run the programme in 2006 in Johor so that the others can access it at a subsidised rate. There are also those from
2005 who had abnormal mammograms who need a follow up in 2006. We will help to raise funds
to provide the subsidy if funds are inadequate.”

Ms Doris Wee, President of the Breast Cancer Support Group, Johor Bahru and also co-ordinator for the CMP2005/2006 in Johor.

Thank you,
CoR MP!

“On 25^th August 2004,
I had my first mammogram and it showed I had breast cancer. I had not felt anything in my breasts
at all! I would not have thought about a mammogram if not for the College of Radiology’s breast
cancer awareness programmes and specifically the provision of mammograms at subsidised rates. Fortunately my friend
had heard about it and told me to go for one. I feel this is a good programme for creating awareness and also helping women to
access mammograms
by providing a subsidy. This programme should be ongoing!” - Mdm SL Ang, 57 years old and a retired civil servant.