PENANG may have recorded the highest number of breast cancer cases in the country at 50 cases in every 100,000 women but early detection can help save lives.
As such, Tan Lean Kee, wife of Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, said widespread awareness of breast cancer was important.
“Every year, breast cancer kills more than 500,000 women around the world. The sad truth is that breast cancer knows no boundaries,” Tan said in her speech before officiating the ‘Pink October 2019 – Pink for Hope’ at Gurney Paragon Mall in George Town.
“I was informed that Penang recorded the highest number of breast cancer cases in the country at 50 cases in every 100,000 women, which equals to one breast cancer patient in every 2,000 women.
“Thus, it is important that women and men have access to useful information about breast cancer, as well as breast examinations, screenings, and early detection services because the best protection is early detection.”
This was the fifth year that Gurney Paragon Mall, which is managed by Hunza Group, has hosted a Pink October celebration.
Hunza Group executive director Khor Tze Ming said the event also was in partnership with Penang Adventist Hospital (PAH) to increase awareness of prevention against breast cancer and encourage positive action amongst women and their families towards this fatal disease.
Khor said the campaign comprised a series of activities to be held throughout this month, in conjunction with the worldwide Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Apart from that, Khor also urged social-media-savvy friends to utilise the hashtag “pinkforhope” across the social platforms to raise awareness on ‘Pink October’.
“The ‘pinkforhope’ campaign also hopes to encourage strong contributions for a great cause within the community,” she said.
Besides that, Khor said that during the month of October, shoppers who flash their shades of pink to the participating merchants in Gurney Paragon Mall could enjoy more than 60 special pinky deals such as 10% discount at Starbucks, enjoy free Bayberry juice at Pu Tien, get two beverages at I Am Singer Karaoke with one karaoke session purchase, and many more. The deals are valid from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
Shoppers can also take part in the lucky draw contest when they spend a minimum of RM100 in a single receipt from Oct 1 to Oct 31. Attractive prizes include Kate Spade New York’s satchels, wellness and mammogram screening from Penang Adventist Hospital and limited edition designer tee by Jonathan Liang awaits 11 lucky winners.
PAH senior director of finance Albin Phua said according to the Health Ministry, an estimated 60 percent of cancer prognosis among patients in Malaysia were detected at later stages of the disease.
“The three most common cancers among women are breast, colorectal and cervix with breast cancer topping at 32.1%. This certainly is a growing concern.
“As the health-promoting hospital, Penang Adventist Hospital’s initiatives for this Pink October include free health screening, free teddy medical clinic, breast cancer talk by PAH consultant medical oncologist Dr Kiley Loh, and also free Pink Bag for shoppers who spend a minimum of RM100 in a single receipt in Gurney Paragon Mall,” Phua said.
For further info on #pinkforhope, visit Gurney Paragon Mall or Penang Adventist Hospital’s websites or Facebook pages.
Story and pix by Riadz Akmal