2008 Activities ...
 

CoR Value Added Mammogram Programme Report 2008 Primarily Served the East Coast/Northern Johor states
547 ladies benefited from the College of Radiology value added mammogram programme (CMP2008) with some from very poor background being granted full sponsorship of the cost of the mammograms. 85.2% had their first mammograms in CMP2008. The 547 participants of the CMP2008 came from Johor (40.8%), Pahang (30.3%), Kelantan (26.9%) and the rest from Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur, Terengganu and Negeri Sembilan.

Read more here

CoR Value Added Mammogram Programme (CMP) in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) 2008
The CMP 2008 was organised through a joint effort by the Radiology Department HUSM and Kelantan Family Planning Association (KFPA). The programme started off with a breast cancer talk given by Dr Nik Munirah Nik Mahdi - a breast radiologist, and a breast cancer awareness exhibition at Kota Bharu Shopping Mall on 14th June 2008 in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Suitable candidates from Machang, Bachok, Selising,Tanah Merah and Gua Musang were selected based on criteria for the mammogram programme.

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Asian Breast Cancer Research Round Table Discussion, Kuala Lumpur – 16 Nov 2008
A round table discussion was held in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, to establish a research collaborative to bring together researchers in Malaysia for a discussion on early detection, to share their experiences and to formulate further research direction for early detection of breast cancer in Malaysia. This initiative was spearheaded by the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation, Medical University of Vienna and the International Union Against Cancer- Asian Regional Office. The Asian Breast Cancer Research Meeting held earlier on 15 Nov 2008, focused on several areas. These included genetic predisposition of breast cancer in Asia, Clinicopathological features of breast cancer in Asia, early detection and survival and future directions for breast cancer research in Asia. A pre-congress workshop was held on 14 Nov 2008 to provide a primer on hereditary breast and ovarian cancer as well as the share steps needed to establish risk counselling clinics in Asia.

Such research initiatives are important as they gather evidence and are able to present data that may tailor or fine tune Malaysian needs in breast cancer detection, intervention and education. The roundtable discussion was chaired by Assoc Prof Dr Nur Aishah Mohd Taib of the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya.
 

The Estée Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Charity Gala Dinner, KL Hilton – 16 Oct 2008
There were nearly 500 people “packed” into the Hilton Kuala Lumpur Grand Ballroom in support of breast cancer awareness and to raise funds for a worthy cause. Splashes of pink were everywhere. In addition to the usual speeches, pink inspired gowns contributed by top local designers and jewellery from DeGem were auctioned. Dennis Lau, Jimmy Sax and Sheila Majid performed at the dinner.  Funds raised were for Breast Cancer Welfare Association, National Cancer Society of Malaysia, College of Radiology and Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation.

Read more here!
 

Menara Kuala Lumpur Lights Up in Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness – 14 Oct 2008
Rain or shine, the show must go on....and this was exactly the case on the evening of 14 October 2008 where the Launch of the Illumination of Kuala Lumpur’s prime landmark, Menara Kuala Lumpur went on despite the rain. Menara KL would be illuminated in pink beginning 14th to 31st October 2008. This was part of the Estee Lauder Companies’ Global Landmarks Illumination Initiative and officiating at this event was YB Noriah Kasnon, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development.

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Breast Health Workshop with a Difference, Petaling Jaya – 6 Sep 2008
Dr Evelyn Ho, a consultant clinical radiologist by profession and President of the College of Radiology, conducted a breast health workshop to unravel the “myths” of the breasts, imparting tips and tricks of effective self breast examination built upon a foundation of knowing enough about the breasts to understand normal physiological changes. However, unlike all the previous workshops Dr Ho had conducted, this was different as it was the first time, people with disabilities (PWDs) were invited and encouraged to attend!

Read more here!
 

A Clear Link Between Inherited Genes and Development of Breast Cancer Established, Kuala Lumpur – 21 July 2008
Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF) and University Malaya (UM) recently teamed up to conduct the CARIF-UM Breast Cancer Genetic Study, the largest study of its kind to determine the genes which cause breast cancer, specifically in Malaysian women. Dr Teo Soo-Hwang, Phd, CEO of CARIF said, “A clear link between inherited genes and development of breast cancer has been established”.

Read more here!
 

His and Her Story: A Collection of Testimonies on Male Support for Breast Cancer Launched, Kuala Lumpur – 21 June 2008
The project Male Support of Breast Cancer Screening for Women (MENCARE) Programme developed by the National Council of Women’s Organisations (NCWO) and supported by Pfizer Malaysia through Asia Foundation, was launched in November 2006. Through its workshops, testimonies of courage, strength and love surfaced and has since been compiled to be a source of inspiration to others. The compilation: His and Her Story was launched by YB Dato’ Dr Ng Yen Yen in Kuala Lumpur.

Read more here!
 

Radiology Malaysia-Kidz Magazine Challenge 2007 Prize Presentation – 14 June 2008
Elson Teo Yong Lin won the Grand Prize in the above challenge which was themed on “What Cancer Means To Me”. Contestants had to surf the website to find words to string together into a sentence and add that to their collage or poster. In his creation, he used the metaphor of apples to show how cancer can eat away inside of one person, while looking normal on the outside.

Read more here!

To view all the other winning entries and thoughts from the winners – click here
 

Sandakan Women Health Week, Duchess of Kent Hospital, Sabah – 10 May 2008
In conjunction with Mother’s Day, Nurses Day, World SLE Day and also World Thalassaemia Day, the Sandakan Breast Health Awareness Committee also participated in the public event to commemorate Women’s Health Week on 10th May 2008. One of the main highlights of the event was the handing of cash amounting to RM300 per recipient for 15 Sandakan breast cancer patients from the Sandakan Breast Health Awareness Committee.

Read more here!

Belinda Bateman’s Amazing Journey at The ATTIC, Kuala Lumpur – 27 Mar 2008
Belinda Bateman is a single mother with a 4 year old daughter. She was born with congenital arthogryposis multiplex and in December 2006, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She developed a recurrence of breast cancer only recently! Yet, Belinda still manages to smile despite barely making ends meet.

Read more here!

Estée Lauder Companies' Cheque Presentation, Kuala Lumpur – 30 Jan 2008
The Estée Lauder Companies 2007 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign was a great success. In 2007, there was the annual charity auction, golf, gala dinner and the Landmark Illumination Programme to increase awareness, create more hype to help win the fight against breast cancer. Together with the Breast Cancer Welfare Association, the funds raised were sizeable and each of the following organisations were beneficiaries: Breast Cancer Welfare Association, National Cancer Society of Malaysia and College of Radiology, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia.

At a lunch hosted by ELC on 30 Jan 2008 at the Crystal Jade Restaurant, The Gardens, Mid Valley City, cheques of RM 100,000 were presented to Dr Evelyn Ho, College of Radiology and Dr Saunthari Dharmalingam, National Cancer Society of Malaysia. Mr Loo Kai Nan (Managing Director), Sharyn Wong (Chairperson of the Breast Cancer Awareness Committee 2007) and Mdm Tan Quee Siew played hosts. Also present at the lunch was Barbara Khoo, Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Welfare Association, and Clare Ratnasingham of the National Cancer Society.
 

“What Cancer Means to Me…”
2007 Radiology
Malaysia-Kidz Magazine Challenge:
For full report on
winners, click here

Chew Sue Anne,
21 years old
(Second Prize Winner)

 As a responsible citizen, I felt it right to share my thoughts and views on breast cancer and, this led to my participation
in the contest. This contest has nevertheless encouraged and challenged my creativity as well as my conceptual thinking.

Ages ago, scientists and doctors failed to find
cure for breast cancer. Eventually, the mammogram and
clinical breast checkup are the best for prevention (i.e. by early detection) so far. In this fast pace modern era, many Malaysians are
still not aware of the consequences of this chronic disease which
can cause endless suffering and pain. By having a regular mammogram and a clinical breast examination by health professionals can help women to understand themselves better, especially the changes
in their breasts. In addition, treatment for breast cancer, as well as survival rates, are improving. Early
detection and medical help is critical to
increase the chances of living beyond a
diagnosis of breast cancer.

Judges’ Note: The ticking time bomb was metaphorically a very clever. The design could mean a pair of any of the paired organs in a human body. If not treated, the “time bomb” would be ticking within your body. Breaking the silence would then give one some time.

Chaw Eng Huei,
20 years old
(First Prize Winner)

Cancer patients have to communicate with their family and friends. We have to accept the truth, and think how to fight a serious illness. We have to draw close together with our family.
I am happy I joined this competition. I hope my poster design will have
an effect on the public and change their mindset. By this effort, I also hope to have contributed to society. The objective of my poster is to advise all people not to be silent when they got sick
(have cancer).

Judges’ Note: This
creative was intelligent
and served to reinforce the notion that the biggest barrier to wellness was silence. In the process, it also served to remind one of all the various factors that one should avoid to stay healthy.

Ong Chui Yim,
68 years old
(Third Prize Winner)

I am a retired school teacher. I think
Radiology Malaysia, through its many events and informative website, plays a significant role in spreading awareness about cancer/breast cancer and that early detection can save lives. I am just glad to be able to contribute to that cause by participating in this contest.