MURNI: BCWA Breast Cancer Awareness and Supportive Care Reach Out to Rural Women, Kuala Lumpur – 26 July 2011
MURNI (Mobile Unit Reaching Nationwide with Information) programme was launched at Menara Kuala Lumpur by Yang Amat Berbahagia Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman, wife of the Deputy Prime Minister. This initiative by the Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA) Malaysia extends the range of support and education awareness programmes that BCWA has been known for since its inception in 1986.
The MURNI programme features a mobile unit equipped with early detection and supportive care tools and staffed by healthcare professionals and trained breast cancer survivors reaching out to rural communities in Malaysia. The aim of this programme is to provide guidance, encourage, empower and support women to practice a lifestyle of being breast aware, to seek out medical assistance for any abnormal changes in their breasts as well as to obtain timely medical treatment when they are diagnosed with breast cancer. To this end, the programme will involve a three-pronged approach, namely MURNI Early Detection, MURNI Supportive Care and MURNI Capacity Building. Their first stop will be Gombak.
YBhg Puan Sri Datin Seri Dato’ Akmal Abdul Salam who is patron of BCWA said, “Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Malaysia. According to the National Cancer Registry, one in every 20 women is at risk of being affected by breast cancer in their lifetime. BCWA is aware that women living beyond the edges of cities and in rural areas are unable to follow up on appointments, ongoing treatments and regular check ups due to their multiple responsibilities as well as time limitations. This is where the MURNI programme comes in as we firmly believe that in order to overcome the barriers faced by women in our local communities; we need to offer these services to women where they live.”
Universiti Malaya’s Social and Preventive Medicine Department and the Surgery Department will be involved in gauging the effectiveness of the programme through house-to-house surveys conducted before and after the programme. Eventually, BCWA hopes to establish a network of such community-based support programmes throughout the country, including Sabah and Sarawak.
BCWA acknowledged the tremendous support from various quarters, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, National Population and Family Development Board, local authorities, corporations as well as community leaders.
Thumbs up to the BCWA for bringing breast health to the womenfolk out there, reaching out to them and helping them continue with their treatment or spreading the message that early detection does save lives. |
