The Breast Cancer Support Society Segamat (BCSS) report on the College of Radiology (CoR) Value Added Mammogram Programme (CMP2006-2009), Segamat, Johor – December 2009

Through the subsidised value added mammogram programme under College of Radiology, the Breast Cancer Support Society Segamat have managed to send many ladies who met the criteria for a much-needed mammogram / scanning. Currently, participants are sent to the Breast Centre IIUM Kuantan as it is nearest to Segamat. The journey takes about 2 ½ hours one way and the cost of transportation was borne by the CoR.

From year 2006 to date, a total of 915 ladies have benefitted from the CMP. About 38% have been advised to go for scanning 6 months later while 2% had Fine Needle Cytology or Core Biopsy carried out. 11 ladies (1.2%) have had mastectomy (surgery to remove the breast) done. Most of them had cancer detected early – i.e. at stage 1 and 2.

The table below shows the percentage of participants from different races and age group.

All the ladies who have had mastectomy were provided psychosocial support by the members of BCSS Segamat as well as survivors/patients and they are on the road to recovery. The majority of the participants for the CMP had their mammogram done because it had been offered at a very affordable rate. Most of the ladies who had cancer detected did not present with any signs or symptoms and if it had not been for the CMP, they would never have had mammogram done. It is likely that these ladies were not aware of changes in their breasts which might have been obvious to the examining doctor but not to themselves. This will explain some of those who were detected in Stage 3 or who had clinically palpable lesions but themselves were unaware of any abnormality in their breasts.

Another advantage of this value added CMP is there is no delay of surgery and treatment once a patient’s mammogram and biopsy confirms the diagnosis. There is good coordination for the CMP in the IIUM Breast Centre with regard to diagnosis and referral to treatment.

Given the locality of Segamat, it is no surprise that most basic needs are not easily accessible. And the low standard of living here reflects the general income of the population. The Segamat community is indeed very grateful to College of Radiology for continuously extending this much-needed service.

Brief background of those detected with breast cancer through CMP(as at Dec 2009)
(Names have been withheld to ensure privacy for the lady and her family)

• Mdm A: 42 year old housewife with one child. Her husband is a lorry driver who earns RM900 a month.
• Mdm B, 54 years old and detected with stage 3 cancer. She is single and has an income of RM800 per month
• Mdm C, 53 year old housewifewith 6 children. Her husband has stopped work since he had mitral valve replacement and they are dependent on their relatives.
• Mdm D, 50 year old detected at stage 2. Her husband is a labourer who earns RM600 monthly and she has 3 children aged 16 –18 years.
• Mdm E, aged 54 and babysits for a living. Her husband is a mechanic who earns RM800 per month and they have 2 school-going children
• Mdm F, is 56 years old and her husband is a plumber. His take home pay is RM800 monthly and they have 3 children. This lady suffers from hypertension too.
• Mdm G, works as a tailor to supplement her husband’s income who works as a labourer with JKR. She was detected at stage 2 and had a bit of problem with her wound as she is diabetic. She has one daughter.
• Mdm F is 53 years old and works alongside her husband when her health permits and when her husband gets work as he is a contractor. They have 4 children
• Mdm G, is a 54 year old housewife with 5 children. Her husband is a pensioner. She suffers from “nerve problem”
• Mdm H is 58 years old and is now retired after working as an amah at the local hospital. Her husband is also a retiree and they are dependent on their children. She has 4 children and one of them is mentally challenged. She has hypertension as well as diabetes.

NCR 2003 Report: Breast Cancer is still the top cancer amongst women

Latest statistics from
the National Cancer Registry (NCR) show
that lung cancer is the most common cancer experienced by men in the country, whilst
breast cancer is the top cancer in women. Lung cancer accounts for 13.8 per cent of cancer cases among men. For women, breast cancer accounts
for 31 per cent of cases.