Support Breast Cancer Awareness This Month
By Dewi Mohd Sofri

Bandar Seri Begawan - The colour pink is hot this month as the world recognises October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

A symbol of womanhood, losing one or both is a nightmare for many; however few take the initiative to perform Breast Self-Examinations (BSE), although 90 per cent of breast cancer cases are detected through this method.

This was said by the chairperson of the Brunei Breast Cancer Support Group, Hjh Dayang Jaliha Hj Momin, during a phone interview with The Brunei Times.

The non-governmental group became active in 2002 and at present it has 20 members, including three oncologists who act as advisors.

Hjh Dayang, a senior nursing officer, established the support group due to research that she had conducted when she was doing her degree in the mid-1990s. Back then, breast cancer was considered a taboo topic as it was still new and not many people were aware of it. Most of the support came from immediate family members and close friends.

The support group is different from the Breast Care support group at Ripas Hospital.

"Ours is different, we just want them to come forward when they are ready and healthy (in the case of survivors)," she said.

The group opens its doors to the survivors or sufferers to exchange their experiences. Through her own observations and experiences shared by cancer survivors, women who have detected the abnormalities themselves will go through three stages.

"Sometimes they are in denial and then after than they will come to accept it. When they are in that stage, they will come forward and talk to us." When this happens, the group will offer a sympathetic ear. "We don't diagnose their lumps as cancerous but encourage them to go to their community clinics for a check-up."

It may take time however, before the women realise the gravity of the situation.

"The second stage is when they start to think of their loved ones so they go for operation and after that chemotherapy and radiotherapy," she said.

She continued that the ones she interviewed immediately "felt like dying" upon hearing the word chemotherapy.

Thus the support groups are also advocating early detection to lower the risk of it becoming fatal. Usually she will shed light on what breast cancer is all about before demonstrating the right techniques and skills of conducting a BSE.

"Most do it the wrong way," said Hjh Dayang. "Some just concentrate on the breast but that is not the only place (to check for lumps)," she said. Areas such as near the shoulders and under the armpits are also areas where lumps have been discovered. Changes can also be monitored through visual observations: any uneven sudden increase or decrease in the size of breasts should not be ignored, she said.

The high risk group includes women who experienced early menstruation (before the age of nine years old) and early menopause has a family history of breast cancer, those who have undergone operation on the left or right breasts.

"These are the groups that must be highlighted," she said, as "it does not only happen to married women. There are also students who have passed away because of breast cancer."

To propagate awareness amongst the younger generation the support groups continue to organise roadshows at a number of secondary schools in the Brunei Muara District for the female population which includes students and teachers.

"I have also been invited to institutions such as banks," said Hjh Dayang.

A number of men do attend some of her lectures and this presents a rare opportunity for her to remind them that men can also get breast cancer.

"I tell them that men can also do the Breast Self-Exam. When they said that they don't have menses I suggest that they do it at the beginning or end of the month,” she said.

The initial response is laughter, but the embarrassment wears off quickly. "They then ask how, they can do it so I tell them to follow the (same) procedures for women."

According to her, now more women are becoming aware that breast cancer next to cervical cancer is one of the top causes of female cancer death in the country. "There are also those who are aware but still remain nonchalant,” she said and this is the target groups that must be reminded from time to time again.

In the hopes of gaining more ground this month, the groups have requested to speak on talk shows on several of the country's radio stations.

Those wishing to help promote breast awareness can do their part by sporting a pink ribbon and donating to the Brunei Breast Cancer Support Group Fund.

"We have requested for permission to set up donation boxes in all the banks and shopping centres around the country and have received approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs,” she said.

Besides subsidising 10 per cent of the cost of breast prostheses for the survivors who have undergone mastectomies, the funds are used for renting meeting venues, activities and also printing flyers. So keep and eye out for the boxes sporting a pink ribbon this month and consider donating to the cause.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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