Budget 2018: KPWKM asks for RM10 million budget for cancer patients

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PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development is asking for RM10 million in the 2018 budget for external breast prosthesis supplies and special brassieres for low-income breast cancer patients.

Its minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said the external breast prosthesis and special brassieres (post mastectomy) were needed for cancer patients who had undergone surgery so that they could continue their lives with confidence.

“The external breast prosthesis and special brassieres for cancer patients are not cheap and are very important to cancer patients who have undergone mastectomy for feeling feminine and boost their self-confidence.

“The ministry and the non-governmental organisations hope that the government will give priority to breast cancer patients to ease their financial and emotional burden,” she said in a press conference held at the launch of the Pink-Wig-A-Thon here yesterday.

She said that the ministry would also be requesting for allocation for the Mammogram Screening Subsidy programme, but did not disclose the amount.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will table the Budget 2018 at the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 27.

Rohani said the government had continuously developed initiatives in helping women combat breast cancer since 2007, which includes the implementation of the Mammogram Screening Subsidy programme organised by the National Population and Family Development Board.

She said the Mammogram Screening Subsidy programme was one of the government initiatives to help women undergo breast cancer screening via a subsidised approach, to increase early detection of breast cancer and saving lives.

“A total of 337, 524 mammograms were performed at listed private mammogram centres in the country from May 2007 to June this year.

“Early detection will reduce its overall cost of treatment as well as increasing women’s awareness of breast health and the importance of early detection of breast cancer,” she said.

She added that according to the Fifth Malaysia Population Family Survey (MPFS) 2014, out of 7,644 respondents, 75.4 per cent have had breast self-examination done while 64.5 per cent have had clinical breast screening.

“Only 19 per cent have undergone mammogram. The response is not very impressive because there are still many women who are not aware about the importance of early detection of breast cancer,” she said. — Bernama