TAWAU: The Tawau Hospital detected 31 new breast cancer cases, including three male patients, up to October this year.
Tawau Hospital General Surgeon Dr Nur Husna Atan said two of the male patients were detected at an early stage and had undergone surgery but the other was detected at stage four.
“This year’s statistics also recorded the youngest patient diagnosed with breast cancer, at 33 years. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer,” said Dr Nur Husna, who is the organising chairperson for the Tawau Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Summit Day.
She said this when met after the programme was officiated by Tawau MP Datuk Lo Su Fui at the Tawau Community Hall, here, Saturday.
The programme has been organised in collaboration with Kinabalu Pink Ribbon Tawau and Lions Club Tawau for two consecutive years.
Also present were Tawau Hospital Director Dr Norlimah Arsad and Kinabalu Pink Ribbon Tawau Chairman Christy Fe Salazar.
Dr Nur Husna said the programme was held to screen both men and women for breast cancer, in addition to providing exposure about the early signs of cancer and what to do.
“We also want the public to know the people at high risk of breast cancer, how to do breast self-examination and the importance of mammogram screening,” she said.
She said from September to October, a breast cancer tour programme was held in eight locations around Tawau, Semporna and Lahad Datu districts, with lecture sessions and breast examinations for the public.
“During the tour programme, we screened 217 women for breast cancer and 35 of them were found to have lumps in their breasts, and 129 women were given mammogram or ultrasound appointments at the Tawau Hospital.
“Four of them were diagnosed with stage three and stage four breast cancer,” she said.
Meanwhile, she revealed that the Tawau Hospital detects new cases of breast cancer almost every week. However, most of the patients come at a late stage.
“Among reasons given include no symptoms or feeling normal or they are unaware about the early signs of cancer, do not know about the importance of doing breast mammogram screening, rarely do breast self-examination and are embarrassed or afraid to see a doctor,” she explained.
Therefore, Dr Nur Husna hoped through the awareness campaign, women and people at risk would gain awareness to undergo check-ups and get early treatment and are not fearful of hospitals or health clinics.
She said that it is easier for patients to get breast exam appointments now that Tawau Hospital has a mammogram machine since 2022.
“If cancer is detected at an early stage, the disease can be cured or reduce the chances of spreading to other organs...the percentage of survival will be slimmer if the cancer is detected at the final stage,” she said.
