One in 19 women at risk of breast cancer - Rohani

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women in this country with the ratio of one in 19 women at risk of the disease, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim.

As such, she urged all mothers in the country to immediately take the opportunity to go for mammography screening for early detection at any clinic or register with the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN).

"According to the national cancer statistics in 2008, the incidence of breast ancer in Malaysia was 32.3 per cent for every 100,000 women, the highest percentage at 18.2 per cent compared to other types of cancer.

"I therefore urge mothers and husbands to encourage their wives to undergo this screening for the sake of the family," she said when launching the national-level Mother's Day celebration at Mydin Mall in Gong Badak, here, Sunday.

Also present was state Health, and Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Muhammad Pehimi Yusof.

The Mother's Day celebration was held simultaneously in 10 states including at Mini Bistari Stadium in Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Raja Perempuan Zainab Hospital in Kota Baharu, Kelantan, Sogo Shopping Complex in Kuala Lumpur, Medan Niaga Satok in Kuching, Sarawak, Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Perlis and Industrial Training Institute (ILP) Labuan.

Rohani said awareness among women on the need to undergo mammography screening was still low despite the subsidy provided by the government for those eligible through LPPKN.

"For example, in Terengganu alone, the number of women who had gone for screening was less than 1,000.

"We hope more women will make an effort to go for mammography screening as it is important to be healthy because women as mothers, are the pillars of the family," she said.