sunday Star, 4 october 2015

special

breast cancer
awareness

Overcome it together

SUNDAY STAR, 4 OCTOBER 2015

2 breast cancer awareness

Second chance for survivors

By THERESA BELLE
BREAST cancer is a disease that
can be detected and treated early
despite this, it is the most prevalent
cancer among Malaysians. The
Health Ministry projects that one
in 19 Malaysian women have a
lifetime risk of developing breast
cancer.
Patients can go on to outlive the
cancer, especially those whose
cancers are detected in the first
stage. According to Dr Chong
Kwang Jeat, resident radiotherapy
and oncology consultant at
Mahkota Medical Centre Malacca,
survival rates are improving
thanks to increased awareness,
early detection and better access to
treatments.
He emphasises the importance
of reaching out to educate women,
especially in rural areas, since
quality healthcare is still largely an
urban fixture.
Besides doctors and
professionals, the media plays a
large part in spreading awareness
to rural communities, says Dr
Chong.
A clear example of this is the
case of Angelina Jolies preventive
double mastectomy. In the months
after the New York Times published
her piece explaining this choice
back in 2013, doctors in Austria,
Australia and Britain reported a
spike in risk-reducing
mastectomies and gene testing
enquiries following extensive
media coverage on the topic.
The influence of her celebrity on
the public health issue was
undeniable. British health services
wrote in the journal Breast Cancer
Research that hearing about the
first-hand experience of someone
so glamorous and famous may
have lessened patients fears about
a loss of sexual identity post
preventive surgery and
encouraged those not previously
engaged with health services to
consider genetic testing.

Invisible scars
For women around the world,
the idea of losing any body part to
a disease can be an upsetting one.
Besides the physical side effects,
undergoing a mastectomy can put
women through emotional and
mental strains. It is not uncommon
for women to feel a loss of selfesteem and sense of worth as a
result of a distorted self-image.
It impacts a womans femininity
and sexuality not just the physical
aspect but the psychological
confidence of a woman, which is
derived from her self-perceived
attractiveness and confidence in
intimacy, says Dr Saunthari
Somasundaram, president and
medical director of National
Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM).
For many, the support of family
and friends, especially a partner, is
crucial in surviving this period.
Many women feel personally
responsible for their condition,
and begin to entertain thoughts
that they are less worthy of being
loved.
Partners need to be supportive
both physically and emotionally.

Women going through and recovering from breast cancer need the support of family and friends to survive the journey.

Women need to know that

their spouses love for them
transcends their physicality,
says Dr Saunthari.
As a breast cancer survivor,
43-year-old Lizz Khalid can relate
to this situation. Initially, I did
worry that my husband would
leave me but he ended up playing
a huge part in helping me regain
my confidence after the
mastectomy with his continuous
affection, care and love, she
shares.
Lizz underwent a mastectomy
after finding a lump in her breast
in 2008. She admits initially going
through a denial stage, but wasted
no time in seeking the best
surgeon, oncologist and
treatments. It was two months
before I finally decided to go on
with the mastectomy, following the
advice of three different doctors,
she says.
Lizz opted to wear a prosthesis
after her surgery, a decision that
her husband also supported. She
says her journey with breast
cancer has made her stronger, and
taught her to stay positive with the
mindset that life will be better postmastectomy.
Seven years on, I can gladly say
I still feel confident. With the help
of the prosthetic breast, I look and
feel the same and can still enjoy
life to the fullest, she says.

A personal choice
Reconstructive surgery and
prostheses are modern-day
developments of medical
technology that improve the
quality of life for breast cancer
patients after mastectomy.
According to Dr Saunthari,

Malaysian women who undergo

mastectomy are now more likely to
receive prosthetic aid from the
Government and non-government
organisations (NGOs).
Lower costs, greater awareness
and accessibility as well as the use
of less invasive techniques have
helped women get over the fear of
surgery and the after effects of
reconstruction, she says.
The main drawback for many
women is the cost of
reconstruction. However, it is
reassuring to have the National
Population and Family
Development Board (commonly
known as its Bahasa Malaysia
acronym, LPPKN) offer a free set of
prosthesis and two bras for breast
cancer patients under certain
terms.
It is interesting to note that some
women do not find reconstructive
surgery an important part of breast
cancer treatment. For 67-year-old
Vivien Boey, for example, all that
mattered was the restoration of
her health and well-being.
I did not find reconstruction
surgery or prosthesis necessary as
long as I was able to live on. I just
wanted to have my operation done
as fast as possible knowing that
both breasts had cancerous
lumps, she says.
Boey underwent a double
mastectomy with follow-up
treatments involving
chemotherapy and radiotherapy,
which took a toll on her mental
and physical well-being.
With support from her doctor
and family, she is now able
to live healthy and happy while
watching her grandchildren
grow up.

> SEE ALSO PAGE 4

Attention and
awareness
MEDICAL experts weigh in on
certain aspects of breast cancer
that women should be more
aware about:
l On research and medical
opinion
There is an abundance of
information and choices but it is
difficult to find clarity and
confidence in what is the right
treatment or plan for an
individual, especially with so
much conflicting information on
conventional, complementary or
alternative therapies.
Dr Saunthari Somasundaram,
president and medical director of
National Cancer Society Malaysia
(NCSM)
Go to doctors and specialists for
the facts since no two bodies or
conditions are the same. What
works for you may not work for
the next person.

There are also support groups

such as NCSMs Pink Unity
(pinkunity@cancer.org.my) where
breast cancer survivors provide
assistance to other women going
through their journey with the
disease. Dr Saunthari

l On effective support systems

l On attitude towards cancer

While you are in the hospital,

get your friends to help out with
tasks instead of visiting or
sending flowers. Compile a list of
people whose favours you can
call in when you are busy or sick
they can help with everyday
tasks such as driving you to
treatment sessions, picking
children up, buying groceries or
cleaning, Dr Patricia Gomez,
consultant breast surgeon at
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

The most important factor in

surviving cancer is adopting the
right attitude. Research shows
those who do things to help
themselves and others, even
when battling cancer, survive
and do better. Dr Gomez
Cancer survivors themselves
speak of the importance of a
positive and hopeful mindset
after all, what affects you
mentally can also affect you
physically.

l On complementary and
alternative treatment
Chemotherapy drugs are
widely studied before being
released into the market, so we
are well aware of their pros and
cons and can therefore provide
appropriate consultation.
Complementary treatments
are not written off completely,
but we advise against solely
pursuing alternative treatment
while ignoring the tried and
tested methods prescribed by
medical health professionals.
Dr Gomez

SUNDAY STAR, 4 OCTOBER 2015

THE threat of breast cancer must

not be taken lightly as the disease
afflicts a global estimated figure of
more than one million women
every year. It is also the second
leading cause of cancer deaths
among women, after lung cancer.
Due to the severity of the
disease, women need to learn the
importance of recognising the early
signs of breast cancer and to seek
medical attention before the cancer
cells spread to other parts of the
body.
According to Dr Chong Kwang
Jeat, resident radiotherapy and
oncology consultant at Mahkota
Medical Centre (MMC) in Malacca,
the level of awareness among
Malaysians must be improved.
The level of awareness is higher
in urban areas such as Kuala
Lumpur and Malacca, as people
generally have a higher socioeconomic status and are better
educated in matters related to the
disease.
But there are still a number of
patients, especially those from
rural areas, who come into our
hospital when they are already in
the advanced stages of breast
cancer, says Dr Chong.
Dr Chong believes that although
the general awareness levels are
increasing, there is a lot more that
has to be done so that women
in rural areas consult medical
specialists as soon as they find
something amiss and while they
are still in the early stages of the
disease.

breast cancer awareness 3

Take the right precautions

Dr Chong Kwang Jeat.

The most important factor in surviving breast cancer is to get the necessary
treatments at the early stages of the disease.

Necessary treatments

Breast cancer is a
heterogeneous disease, meaning
its a bag of various diseases. This,
along with the different types and
stages of the cancer, are important
elements that determine what
sort of treatments the patients

undergo, says Dr Chong.

After a lumpectomy or
conservation surgery, patients may
require chemotherapy,
radiotherapy, hormonal therapy
and/or targeted therapy.
To determine the most suitable
treatment option for each patient,

tumours are sent to the laboratory

so that pathologists can examine
and provide a detailed report. It is
only after the doctors have looked
at all the information will they
decide on the required treatment,
he says.
Signifying a current trend
of treatment in oncology, all
treatment programmes are
individualised and tailor-made
for each patient.

Surviving the experience

The most important factor for
breast cancer survival is to receive

the necessary treatments while the

disease is still in its early stages.
In general, at stage four, even
the best treatment in the world
cannot save and cure you. Early
detection and receiving immediate
appropriate treatments save lives,
says Dr Chong.
There are women who only
come to the hospital after they
realise that their alternative
treatments did not work and they
then learn that the cancer has
progressed to the advanced
stages. People must come in for
appropriate treatments as soon
as they get confirmation of the
disease, he stresses.
The journey does not end after
surgery. Rehabilitation
programmes are also important
for their physical, mental and
emotional well-being.
Dr Chong advises breast cancer
survivors to try as much as
possible to lead a normal life and
believes that survivors can lead
equally good lives as anyone else,
if not better.
This is because they can and
do become stronger after the
experience and begin to appreciate
loved ones and life more.

n For more information,

call 06-285 2999.

SUNDAY STAR, 4 OCTOBER 2015

4 breast cancer awareness

Choice and opportunity

MUTATIONS in the BRCA1 and
BRCA2 genes are able to indicate
risk of female breast and ovarian
cancers. These genes produce
tumour suppressor proteins, and
mutation affects the ability of the
proteins to repair damaged DNA.
Thus, cells are more likely to
develop additional genetic
alterations that can lead to cancer.
These genetic mutations can be
identified through a screening test
together, BRCA1 and BRCA2
account for about 20% to 25% of
hereditary breast cancers and 5%
to 10% of all breast cancers.
Stories such as Angelina Jolies
play a great role in informing
women not only to care for
themselves, but to do so in the best
possible way. In her New York
Times article My Medical Choice,
she made it clear that the double
mastectomy she underwent was
the best choice for her due to
individual circumstances: mutation
of the BRCA1 gene (which put her
at an 87% risk for developing
breast cancer) and considerable
family history of the disease.

ARE you feeling constantly run

down and fatigued most of the
time? This may be your body
alerting you that something has
gone amiss.
Most of the time, fatigue is
connected to emotional and
physical stress. The worries
and strains of lifes demands
stemming from work, family and
relationships can be exhausting,
leaving you restless and worn
out.
Tiredness is also attributed to
one or more lifestyle factors, such
as inconsistent sleep, lack of
exercise, poor nutrition, irregular
mealtimes and overconsumption
of alcohol.
Fatigue can be a symptom
of a weak immune system or
underlying medical conditions.
Needless to say, constant
exhaustion can take a toll on you
if left untreated.

These are some local

organisations that make breast
cancer awareness and support
their main cause. They provide
information, counselling and
support services for women
and their families and friends.
National Cancer Society
Malaysia (NCSM)
Making cancer literacy,
prevention and early detection
its primary goals, NCSM works
to improve the lives of
Malaysians through screenings
and educational programmes in
various locations around the
country.
As a non-govermental
organisation, it is also constantly
on the lookout for volunteers to
help in community outreach
programmes.
Phone: 03-2698 7300
Website: www.cancer.org.my
E-mail: contact@cancer.org.my
Breast Cancer Welfare
Association Malaysia (BCWA)
BCWA focuses more on the
well-being of women with breast
cancer by providing emotional,
social and material peer
support.
Patients are taught ways to
care for themselves during and
after treatment to ease their
burden and ensure they do not
have to fight the disease alone.

Surprising liability
Dr Patricia Gomez, consultant
breast surgeon at Pantai Hospital
Kuala Lumpur, says preventive
double mastectomies such as the
one Jolie opted for are win-win for
insurance providers and gene
carriers.
Jolie had a high chance of
getting breast cancer by the time
she turned 80 if she had gotten
cancer in her 50s or 60s, she would
have spent much more on
treatment than the cost of her
preventive procedure, Dr Gomez
explains.
However, she reveals that
this is far from the current
understanding and practice of
insurance providers. In fact, breast
reconstruction post-mastectomy
is considered cosmetic surgery
and is therefore not covered by
most insurance plans.
Though insurance companies
in Malaysia have a long list of
diseases they cover, this list is
about 30 years behind the rest of
the industry and does not reflect

Seek assistance here

Talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for you, whether they be preventive or otherwise.

the exponential advancement

of medical technology, says
Dr Gomez.
This is why although there are
facilities for genetic screening
in Malaysia, we dont tell our
patients to do it once you have
done the test, you must disclose
this information to insurance
companies and they can blacklist
you and your family members as
there is no legislation to stop them
from refusing coverage.

Exercising freedom
The old adage prevention is
better than cure rings true in
cases such as these but if you

Reconstruction of
the breast postmastectomy is
considered cosmetic
surgery and is not
covered by most
insurance plans.
were to opt for a preventive
mastectomy like Jolie, the money
would have to come out of your
own pocket. The cost can be
anything from RM50,000 to
RM100,000 which is still less

than what one would spend on

years of cancer treatment.
Although Malaysian women
in the low- and middle-income
bracket are not privy to the same
opportunities as wealthy celebrities
such as Jolie, the actress sends
important messages of early
detection, prevention and specific
treatment in her article.
Explaining that her decision was
one made with advice of medical
experts, including doctors,
surgeons and naturopaths, Jolie
wrote, There is more than one
way to deal with any health issue.
The most important thing is to
learn about the options and choose
what is right for you personally.

Boost in energy
It can pose profound
consequences on your health, job
performance and overall quality
of life.

Combating fatigue
It is time to adopt a healthy
lifestyle and fuel your body with
the essential nutrients it needs to
keep your immune system working
up to par.
Get enough sleep and rest,
manage stress, have a regular
exercise regime, consume a
nutritionally balanced diet, stay
hydrated and stay away from
known stress factors.
You can also increase your
nutritional intake by taking herbal
supplements.

Enhance your energy

and vitality
Ganoderma lucidum, also
known as lingzhi or reishi, has
a long tradition of use in Asian
countries, particularly China
and Japan.
It is a medicinal fungus with a
variety of bioactivities that has
long been praised for being one
of the best folk remedies for its
capability to promote health and
longevity.
The major health benefit of
lingzhi is its ability to help
moderate the immune system.
It acts bi-directionally to
normalise the immune systems
by bringing it down when it is
overstimulated and ramping it

Lingzhi mushrooms
provide immuneenhancing benefits.

up when it is weakened.
A strong body with a robust
immune system is vital for optimal
health maintenance, not only to
prevent weariness, but also to fend
off serious illnesses such as cancer.
Besides its immune-enhancing
benefits, lingzhi may also help to
boost energy, improve the bodys
recovery and healing ability,
reduce fatigue as well as nourish
the heart, liver, lungs and kidney.
Recent studies discovered that

Phone: 03-7954 0133

Website: www.breastcancer.org.
my
E-mail: info@breastcancer.org.
my
PRIDE Foundation Malaysia
Also known as Pink Ribbon
Deeds, this charitable body
focuses on awareness efforts as
well as improving accessibility
to treatment and care of breast
cancer at all levels of society.
PRIDE has organised
educational, empowerment and
sponsorship programmes to
reach out to and engage women
going through and living beyond
breast cancer.
Phone: 03-7960 0366
Website: www.pride.org.my
E-mail: info@pride.org.my

lingzhi spores are more potent

than the fruiting bodies. The spores
are cracked using advanced
technology to facilitate the release
of the active ingredients.
The essence of lingzhi obtained
from cracked spores is more
readily absorbed by the body and
hence offers greater curative
efficacy.
Besides lingzhi, other medicinal
mushrooms such as shiitake,
cordyceps and yunzhi have gained
much attention due to their
various therapeutic properties.
A proprietary blend of medicinal
mushrooms can be an excellent
adjunct to boost your immune
health and overall quality of life.
This article is brought to you by
VitaHealth.

n For more information, call

03-7729 3873.

SUNDAY STAR, 4 OCTOBER 2015

SUNDAY STAR, 4 OCTOBER 2015

6 breast cancer awareness

THIS year, Pantai Hospital Kuala

Lumpur is organising the third
annual Wear It Pink Womens
Health Summit on Nov 5.
The summit, which will feature
workshops for women with
breast cancer and survivors, a
fashion show and a roundtable
discussion with policymakers and
associations, among other events,
has two aims.
The first is to spread awareness
and education about breast cancer;
the second is to be a platform for
advocacy for survivors in terms of
engaging with stakeholders and
government agencies as a means to
bring about changes to healthcare
policy and regulation.
According to Dr Patricia Gomez,
consultant breast surgeon at
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur
and organising co-chairperson
of the summit, the reason such
engagement and discussion is
needed is that women are not
being provided the measure of
access to healthcare or insurance
that they require.
We want to get everyone to look
at the things that are still not right
in the system, so we are slowly
trying to change the way that
policymakers and insurance
companies look at diseases,
especially breast cancer. Malaysia
is lagging far behind other
countries when it comes to
insurance coverage for a range
of diseases, she says.

Bridging gaps
Full and comprehensive
insurance coverage for breast
cancer is almost non-existent in
Malaysia, mainly because
insurance companies are reluctant
to take the risk of covering a
person with breast cancer or even
a survivor.
The Womens Health Summits
work to prompt discussion and
discourse about this subject and
initiate change goes a long way to
making the playing field level
when it comes to insurance
coverage and access to healthcare
not just for women with breast
cancer, but for any Malaysian
living with any disease.
The way things currently work is
that a person who has or has had
breast cancer, or who has a genetic
predisposition to cancer which
can be confirmed by genetic
screening or inferred by family
history is either denied medical
insurance coverage or has to pay
higher premiums for coverage.
This acts as a barrier to
obtaining healthcare, which in turn
means that many are unable to
afford treatment for breast cancer,
which is an eminently treatable
and survivable cancer.
The only way to prevent genetic
discrimination when it comes to
being eligible for insurance is to
have proper legislation put in
place, says Dr Gomez.
She also points out that as breast
cancer survivors can go on to live
full and long lives after surviving
the disease, there is a large
untapped market that insurance
companies should take advantage
of.
Further, in Malaysia,
reconstructive surgery for the
breast is considered a form of
cosmetic surgery and thus
sometimes not eligible to be
covered under medical insurance,

The third annual Wear It Pink Womens Health Summit seeks to initiate discourse about womens health issues and policy change in Malaysia through
roundtable discussions with stakeholders. Its patron Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz is seen here participating in a discussion at last years summit.

Summit to address
health concerns
another prohibitive regulation that
denies many women much-needed
healthcare.
People buy insurance because
they want protection. They would
not buy insurance policies that do
not offer the protection they need.
It boils down to insurance
companies keeping up with the
advances in technology and
medicine.
Dr Gomez explains that medical
technology and knowledge has
advanced so far that reconstructive
surgery can be offered at the
same time a lumpectomy or a
mastectomy is performed it is
bundled into one procedure so that
the patient goes into the operating
theatre with a diseased breast and
comes out with a new one.
If insurance companies do
not change their policies to be
in line with the kind of disease
management that we are doing
now, they will have no takers for
their policies, she says.

Reconstruction is
important
Asian women generally tend to
develop breast cancer at a younger
age than their counterparts in the
West.
The major incidences of breast
cancer in Malaysia occur between
the ages of 45 and 55, and doctors
are seeing a trend towards younger
women being diagnosed.
In most Western countries,
almost 70% of breast cancer

The Womens Health

Summits work to prompt
discussion and discourse
about medical coverage and
initiate change goes a long
way to making the playing
field level when it comes
to insurance coverage and
access to healthcare.

Dr Patricia Gomez

patients are more than 55 years

old.
This means that Asian women
tend to be diagnosed with breast
cancer at the time when they are at
the height of their careers, have
small children and are at the prime
of their lives.
Therefore, it is incredibly
important that women do selfexaminations, come forward for
screenings and obtain proper
treatment in the early stages.
Dr Gomez points out that
education goes a long way to
ensuring that women are aware
of breast cancer and understand
what the proper treatments are,
including the different options for
surgery.
At the end of the day, the breast
is a very important organ, not least
because it forms part of a womans
sense of self and sexuality.

Having a whole breast where

there was once a diseased one is an
important part of psychological
recovery. This is why
reconstructive surgery is such an
important part of treatment and
should not be considered merely
a cosmetic procedure, she says.
She adds that through the past
two summits and various efforts
of advocacy, insurance companies
in Malaysia are getting on board
this idea there are new policies
available that cover reconstructive
surgery.
However, women who are at
the age when cancer is a real
possibility already have policies
that do not cover such procedures.

Success on the horizon

In this years summit,
representatives from the Life

Last years Wear It Pink Womens Health Summit saw a good turnout to participate in workshops and discussions
designed to bring better awareness and understanding about breast cancer.

Insurance Association of
Malaysia, Health Ministry,
Women, Family and Community
Development Ministry, National
Cancer Society Malaysia, and
various insurance companies and
non-governmental organisations,
among others, will be present at
the roundtable discussion to talk
about these issues and more.
This being the third Womens
Health Summit, Dr Gomez says
that progress is definitely being
made to solve all these healthcare
issues, not least because the
summit engages directly with the
insurance companies and the
Government.
The Health Ministry in
particular has been very positive
about moving healthcare access
forward and has put in place
initiatives such as providing
access to free or subsidised
mammograms for women aged
40 and above at all LPPKN clinics.
The summit also benefits from
a very committed and vocal
patron in Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz.
We would consider this
summit a success if the result of
the summit is legislation that
governs how insurance policies
are sold and does not allow
genetic discrimination in
insurance policies, says Dr
Gomez.

n For more information, call

03-2296 0773 or 03-2296 0837
(Breast Care Centre).

SUNDAY STAR, 4 OCTOBER 2015

THE level of awareness among

urban Malaysians of breast cancer
and the need to go for regular
screenings has been getting better
over the last few years.
In rural areas, however, the
level of awareness is still below
standard. Coupled with the fact
that accessibility to proper
screening and treatment facilities
is poor, this means that a large
number of women only go for
treatment at the later stages of
their cancer or, even worse, do
not seek treatment at all.
Awareness and accessibility
in the east coast of the peninsula
and in Sabah and Sarawak is
sorely lacking. Though the big
government hospitals all over
Malaysia generally have good
facilities, the smaller rural
government hospitals and clinics
lack the facilities and specialists
required to provide much needed
breast cancer screening and
consultation, says Dr Patricia
Gomez, consultant breast surgeon
at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
In Malaysia, healthcare for
breast cancer is mostly urban, she
continues. It is widely available in
urban areas, but it is opportunistic,
meaning the women have to come
forward themselves to seek it.
In countries such as the United
States and United Kingdom,
national screening programmes
are available where the
government invites women
to get regular screenings; the
programmes are essential as the
incidences of breast cancer are
high in these countries about one
in nine women present with breast
cancer.
In Malaysia, though the numbers
are not as high, they are increasing.
A few years ago, every one woman
in 30 was diagnosed with breast
cancer. Now, the average is one in
19, though certain Malaysian races
have higher incidences for
example, one in 14 Chinese women
is diagnosed with breast cancer.
But these are hospital-based
figures, so there may be a large
number of women with breast
cancer who never come forward.
The incidences of breast cancer in
Malaysian women may be much
higher than we think, says
Dr Gomez.
PANTAI Hospital Kuala Lumpurs
Breast Care Centre is a one-stop
breast disease centre that does not
just deal with breast cancer but all
diseases to do with the breasts.
The team of specialists at
the centre is able to refer
to oncologists, radiologists,
pathologists, plastic surgeons and
many more in the same hospital,
all of whom contribute to the
centres multi-disciplinary
approach to diagnosing and
treating breast disease.
The centre benefits from
Pantais tumour board, which
meets once a week to discuss
ongoing cancer cases at the
hospital.
Specialists are able to discuss
treatment options and get a
consensus of the best treatments
for patients in keeping with
internationally recognised
standards of practice.
In addition, the centre has a
dedicated trained breast care
nurse who supplements the
specialists consultation with
other kinds of support.

breast cancer awareness 7

Awareness, accessibility

Malaysia has healthcare facilities to screen, diagnose and treat breast cancer, such as those available at Pantai Hospitals Breast Care Centre, but not enough
women are coming forward to take advantage of them.

Both men and

women should be
educated about
breast cancer, the
need for proper
treatment, and
the need for early
treatment
Dr Patricia Gomez

Besides accessibility, there are

several reasons for women not
seeking treatment, including social
stigma or even plain denial.
Because knowledge about breast
cancer is poor, families and
communities may not give a
woman with breast cancer the
support she needs or may ostracise
her for having a disease.
The woman herself may go into
denial because of the belief that
having a cancer means there is no

Workshops such as this one at last years Wear It Pink Womens Health
Summit help educate both men and women about breast cancer.

hope for survival.

We need to remove the barriers
that prevent women from seeking
treatment. The best way to get

Providing breast care

BraVida, part of Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpurs Breast Care Centre, stocks
prostheses and special bras for breast cancer patients and survivors.

Once the patient has seen

specialists, the nurse will discuss
treatment timelines, cost and
funding options, and even things
such as where to get wigs and
prostheses.
The Breast Cancer Welfare

Association (BCWA) also provides

voluntary peer group support by
visiting the patients during therapy.
The hospital has a cancer
support website where anybody
can pose questions to doctors.
The Breast Cancer Centre has its

around these barriers is

education, says Dr Gomez.
Women in Malaysia should be
educated not only about breast
own specialist bra and prosthetics
shop called BraVida, which stocks
several bra and prosthetic options.
Our main objective is to support
the doctors in their treatment and
the patients in their recovery
process, says Dr Rema Kunjappan
of the Breast Cancer Prosthesis &
Chemotherapy Support Centre.
BraVida stocks specially made
bras for post-surgical breast cancer
patients, breast prostheses and
other items that a breast cancer
survivor may require such as
special swimwear or compression
sleeves (tight sleeves that help
drain lymph from the arms for
those who have had their lymph
nodes removed).
The BraVida team also provides
advice on exercising and the best
options for prosthesis. Dr Rema
explains that every woman has
different requirements, not least
in the shape of her body, and so
each person has to be fitted
with the right prosthesis.
These are not just items of
clothing or silicone lumps. The
right bra and prosthesis not only

cancer, but also that they should be

making decisions about their own
bodies and health, she continues.
It is unfortunate that in many
families, such decisions are still
made by the males, who may also
not fully understand what needs
to be done.
Both men and women should
be educated about breast cancer,
the need for proper treatment, and
the need for early treatment, she
says.
Dr Gomez reveals that in this
years Wear It Pink Womens
Health Summit, which is organised
by Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur,
besides discussions and workshops
about breast cancer and womens
health, there will be a programme
for men.
This programme will teach men
why it is important to bring their
women forward for screenings
and treatments and also how they
can be a pillar of support for the
women in their family who are
diagnosed with breast cancer as
they go through their treatments
and beyond.
helps with how the person
looks, it also helps them build
confidence. It can make the
difference of whether or not the
woman feels she is able to go out
in public, return to work and
return to her social life, says Dr
Rema.

n For more information, visit

www.pantaicancersupport.com

Dr Rema
Kunjappan.

SUNDAY STAR, 4 OCTOBER 2015

8 breast cancer awareness

THE most common form of cancer

affecting Malaysian women is
breast cancer where the cells in
the milk producing glands (lobules)
or the ducts become abnormal or
divide uncontrollably.
In most cases, these abnormal
cells result in the growth of a
painless lump that could possibly
alter the contour and size of the
breast.
While medical experts have not
determined the exact cause of
breast cancer, women must be
aware of the risk factors that are
associated with the disease
These include a family history
with the disease, carrying the BRCA
I and BRCA II genes, exposure to
radiation, history of benign breast
lumps, obesity, late menopause and
unhealthy diets.
Women who have concerns
regarding their breast health due
to family history, experience
palpable abnormality or abnormal
discharge from the breast must
instantly seek professional help.
If the disease is not detected in
the early stages or if the patient
does not receive appropriate
treatment, the abnormal cells can
spread to other parts of the body
such as the lymph nodes, lungs,
bones, brain and liver.
This will create even greater
health complications and every
woman must take the necessary
precautions as breast cancer can
lead to fatality.

The experienced team of specialists and staff at Subang Jaya Medical Centres Cancer and Radiosurgery Centre.

Treating the silent killer

Offering quality
care services

Specialised healthcare
Fortunately, this life-threatening
disease and its related medical
conditions can be treated if
individuals are diagnosed in
the early stages and receive the
proper care and therapy.
There are many hospitals
and healthcare facilities within
Malaysia that specialise in the
various aspects of breast health
and breast care.
Designed and developed over
a few years, the Cancer and
Radiosurgery Centre in Subang
Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) is one
such facility that offers a one-stop
solution for cancer patients from
assurances and guidance on the
most suitable treatment options,
to surgery and therapy.
Patients who visit the Cancer
and Radiosurgery Centre are
assured that all their health needs
are fully taken care of thanks to
the combination of dedicated staff,
technology and experience.
Our first and most important
effort was to gather a team of
experienced oncologists, physicists,
Dr Ahmad
Kamal
Mohamed.

Clinical oncology and radiotherapy consultant Dr Matin Mellor and a

therapist with a patient in the Cancer and Radiosurgery Centres
tomotherapy machine. The centre is well equipped with facilities to treat all
cancers.

staff nurses and radiation

therapists who would help design
a centre that allows easy access
and communication between the
various sections of the facility,
says Dr Ahmad Kamal Mohamed,
clinical oncologist at SJMC.
We then acquired the latest
equipment and facilities that
would allow the centre to offer
complete cancer care.
This ensures patients get the
care and comfort they need during
the process of the treatments,
adds Dr Ahmad.
SJMC also has a dedicated Breast
Care Centre that offers an
extensive range of screening and
diagnostic imaging procedures to
ensure reliable and accurate
diagnosis.
Based on the information
gathered from each test,
consultants are able to determine
the most appropriate course of
action for the patient.
The services offered at the Breast
Care Centre include digital
mammography, breast ultrasound,
breast MRI, minimally invasive
breast biopsies, cytogenetics testing
,immunohistochemistry testing and
breast surgery.

More than just medical

Besides providing services in
breast healthcare to ensure
patients are physically healthy,
SJMC also recognises the
importance of being mentally and
emotionally healthy.
One of the Cancer and
Radiosurgery Centres activities is
organising breast cancer support
groups for the patients.
These sessions often also benefit
the patients carers, family and
friends.The support groups
comprise both past and present
cancer patients
This allows all participants the
opportunity to share their cancer
journey and experience.
Sharing and listening to one
anothers personal fears, joys,
triumphs as well as despair
enables participants to receive
psychosocial support and the
strength to face this difficult part
of their lives.
The centre also provides
counselling services for patients
and their families.
It helps them understand the
issues they face and how they can
cope with the changes that have

HEALTHCARE facilities around the

world strive to provide services
that are safe, effective, patientcentred and valuable for all
patients and Subang Jaya Medical
Centre (SJMC) is no exception.
Seven months ago, the hospital
released a report titled Healthcare
performance measurement and
reporting for SJMCs breast cancer
care services, patient survival
outcome 2008 to 2012.
This report highlighted the
hospitals care performances and
focused particularly on patients
diagnosed with breast cancer.
The survival outcomes from
years 2008 to 2012 were the key
index of the overall effectiveness
of the centre.
One of the main reasons for this
study was to meet accountability
criteria and bring into focus the
care practices that required
additional improvement.
Dr Ahmad Kamal Mohamed,
clinical oncologist at SJMC, says,
We believe that we have been
performing well throughout the
years but there was no objective
way to prove this.
It was therefore important for
us to measure this performance.
Besides adhering to local clinical
practice guidelines, the study also
adopted performance measures
that were developed and used by
international bodies in developed
countries.
The performance and figures of
the study became the benchmark

against other cancer centres

locally and internationally, thus
indicating how we were doing,
adds Dr Ahmad.
The study population consisted
of Malaysian women who were
diagnosed with and treated for
breast cancer in the hospital from
2008 to 2012.
The status and progress for each
patient was then monitored for
12 months based on the
subsequent exposure to cancerdirected therapies that were
conducted in the hospital.
Data was then compiled and
analysed based on the medical,
operative surgery, chemotherapy
and radiotherapy records.
At the end of the five-year
period, the study concluded with
a total sample size of 675 breast
cancer patients. This number was
taken after eliminating ineligible
patients who had either uncertain
or incomplete data factors.
The results of this study
indicated that many patients were
successfully treated and that there
were a reputable number of
survivors within the four stages
of breast cancer.
The study indicated that the
percentages of survival outcomes
were on par with those released
by well-known international
healthcare centres and the
national registries of countries
such as Australia, United Kingdom,
United States, Japan and
Singapore.

risen due to the disease.

In its efforts to remain as a
world-class facility, SJMC continues
to build a strong collaborative team
to deliver safe and up-to-date
patient care and invest in
appropriate technology to deliver
good outcomes.
Earlier this year, the hospital
released a report that measured

high survival rates of breast cancer

patients at SJMC between 2008 and
2012.
These results were comparable
to the rates of international
healthcare facilities and national
registries.

n For more information, call

03-5639 1212.

SUNDAY STAR, 4 OCTOBER 2015

breast cancer awareness 9

Womens hearts
WHILE typically thought of as a mans
disease, it must be noted that heart disease
affects women as well killing as many as
one in four women annually.
The total number of deaths from heart
disease is reportedly 2.5 times higher than
all types of cancers combined.
What is alarming is that about 64% of
women who die suddenly of heart disease
have no previously reported symptoms.
Women often present slightly different
symptoms from men, making them more
likely to go unnoticed, especially in the early
stages. The older a woman gets, the more
likely she is to get heart disease, especially
during menopause.
Chest pain is not always severe or the
most prominent symptom for women (as
it is for men). Other symptoms that can be
experienced by women include:
l Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or
abdominal discomfort
l Shortness of breath
l Pain in the right arm
l Nausea or vomiting
l Sweating
l Light-headedness or dizziness
l Unusual fatigue
Most women tend to dismiss these
symptoms as unrelated to the heart.
Traditional risk factors such as high
cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity
affect both women and men. However, it has
been found that these conditions are highly
prevalent in Malaysian women, putting them
at great risk of developing heart disease.

Sudden dizziness can be a symptom of heart

disease in women.

Malaysian women have also been found

to have one of the highest prevalence of
hypertension in South-East Asia, even more
than men.
There are also several risk factors that
affect women more significantly than
men in the development of heart disease,
such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome
(a combination of fat around the abdomen,
high blood pressure, high blood sugar
and high triglycerides), mental stress
and depression, smoking, lack of
physical activity, low levels of oestrogen
(post-menopause), as well as pregnancy
complications such as high blood pressure
or diabetes (which increase a womans
long-term risk of these conditions and the
development of heart disease in both the
mother and her child).

n For more information, call 03-2600

6421/6423 or e-mail contact@ijn.com.my

Myths
debunked

AS with any other disease, there are

numerous myths and misconceptions about
breast cancer.
Here are the more common ones, and the
actual facts that debunk them.
Myth: Breast cancer is very painful.
Fact: There is actually no pain from the
cancer itself, which is why people do not
realise they have a cancerous lump in their
breast.
People do not do anything about the
lump they find though it gets big and nasty
because theres no pain and they think its
not anything dangerous or they can delay
seeing a doctor, says Dr Patricia Gomez,
consultant breast surgeon at Pantai Hosptial
Kuala Lumpur.
The best course of action if you find a
lump or any other anomaly on your breast
is to seek medical advice immediately,
whether there is pain or not.
Myth: You cannot eat certain foods when
you have or are recovering from cancer.
Fact: All healthy food is acceptable in
moderation.
There are various traditional beliefs
among Malaysians that certain foods should
not be consumed when you are ill.
Sometimes, people omit foods from their
diets or change their diets completely (such
as switching to a vegetarian or raw food diet)
because of something someone told them or
that they have read.

Misconceptions
can be dangerous,
so ensure you
understand the facts
of breast cancer.

It is important to have a healthy, balanced

diet, especially when you are ill, going
through treatment or recovering from
surgery as this is when you need as much
nutrition as possible. Do not avoid protein
or nutritious food when you need it most,
advises Dr Chong Kwang Jeat, resident
radiotherapy and oncology consultant at
Mahkota Medical Centre.
Myth: Chemotherapy kills you.
Fact: Simply put, chemotherapy targets
the cells in the body that are in the process
of splitting. Cancer cells keep dividing until
there is a mass of them and a tumour forms.
Chemotherapy drugs work by damaging and
destroying these cells as they divide.
These drugs also affect the healthy cells
that are constantly growing and dividing,
such as skin cells, hair follicles and the
lining of the digestive system. This is why
chemotherapy causes side effects and people
think that it makes you more ill than before
and even kills you.
The truth is that chemotherapy drugs
work extremely well against the cancers
they treat. Nowadays, there are advanced
drugs to combat the side effects of
chemotherapy, so going through this
treatment is quite tolerable.

SUNDAY STAR, 4 OCTOBER 2015

10 breast cancer awareness

Performing self-examinations
MOST women know that they
should perform a breast selfexamination every month.
But many do not do it for
various reasons they do not
know how, they do not think it is
important, or they just forget.
Self-examinations, coupled
with mammograms, are the best
way to detect anomalies in your
breast tissue; they are your first
line of defence against the spread
of cancer through your breast.
When properly carried out, a
self-check will alert you to a lump
or painful spot on your breast.
When breast cancer is detected,
examined, diagnosed and treated
at this early stage, there is a very
high chance of survival.
Step 1: Look
Stand in front of a mirror with your
shoulders straight and your arms at
your sides.
Look at your breasts and note their
shape, size and colour.
Look for any swelling, dimpling of the
skin, changes in contour or changes in
the nipple.
Place your hands on your hips and
press firmly to flex your chest muscles.
Look for dimpling, puckering or
changes. The left and right breasts will
not be exactly the same so look at each
side carefully.
Raise your hands above your head and
perform the visual examination, then
bend forward and do the same.

Men should perform regular

self-examinations as well.
Though the number of breast
cancer cases affecting men are
significantly lower (roughly 1%
of all breast cancers) as compared
to women, it does not mean that
you cannot develop the disease.
The symptoms, diagnosis
and treatments of breast cancer
among men are very much
similar to those of women.
Male breast cancer is most
commonly diagnosed in men
between the ages of 60 and 70
but it is also possible to develop
the disease at an earlier age.
Performing a breast selfexamination every month does
not mean that you do not have
Step 2: Feel while lying down (for women)
Lie down and place a pillow under your right shoulder. Put
your right arm behind your head.
Use your left hand to feel your right breast. Use the pads of
your fingers to feel your whole breast.
Follow a pattern to ensure you cover the whole breast. You
can begin at the nipple and move outwards in concentric
circles or you can move up and down in vertical strips.
Feel all the breast tissue using different pressures light for
skin and tissue just beneath the surface, medium for tissue
in the middle and firm for deep tissue.
Do not forget to feel the breast tissue that extends into your
armpit.
Feel your nipple to check for lumps and squeeze it to check
for discharge.
Repeat the process with your left breast.

to go for a breast screening;

self-examinations are additions
to regular clinical examinations.
Women in their 20s and 30s
should go for a screening
(usually in the form of an
ultrasound) every three years,
while women 40 and above
should have a mammogram
every year.
Men should consult their
doctor about breast health
when they go for their regular
yearly medical check-up.
The self-examination process
is similar for men and women
and should be performed at a
regular date every month.
Here is a guide on how to
perform it:

Regular self-examinations
are important for both
men and women.

Step 3: Feel while standing

Feel your breasts while you are
standing (or sitting if you prefer).
It may be easier to feel your
breasts when your skin is wet so
you can perform this step while
you are in the shower.
Raise your right arm over your
head, using your left hand to
examine it.
Examine your entire breast using
the methods described in step 2.
Repeat on your other breast.

Things to look out for during a breast self-examination

Seek medical help if you notice:
or skin
l Unusual difference in size or
l Unusual discharge from the
shape
nipple
l Alternation of nipple position
l Unusual lump or nodule on
any part of the breast
l Turning in of the nipple
l Dimpling/puckering of the
skin
Source: Breast Cancer Welfare
Association Malaysia
l Unusual rash/colour on breast

SUNDAY STAR, 4 OCTOBER 2015

breast cancer awareness 11

Immune system boost

NCSM organises cancer awareness and education programmes and fundraisers at schools,
colleges and universities, such as Project Warrior at IACT college. NCSM president Dr Saunthari
Somasundram gave a speech at the launch.

Educate, care
and support
THE National Cancer Society Malaysia
(NCSM) was founded in 1966 when Datuk
S.K. Dharmalingam, then head of oncology
at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, saw a need to
provide support and advice for cancer
patients throughout all stages of treatment.
The first non-governmental organisation
(NGO) tackling cancer in the country, NCSM
educates and assists members of the public
on cancer prevention, treatment and
support.
Today, it has a total of seven locations
around the country, including a four-centre
headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
The centres and programmes in KL, Johor,
Negri Sembilan, Malacca, Perak, Penang and
Sarawak are managed and run by staff and
volunteers.
NCSM offers health screening services
such as mammogram, ultrasound, bone
densitometry, HPV vaccination and HPV
DNA testing, blood and urine screening,
X-ray and electrocardiography.
A team of doctors, nurses, radiologists
and radiographers are available five days
a week at the Cancer and Health Screening
Clinic.
Unparalleled support for cancer patients is
the main focus at the Resource and Wellness
Centre.
There is professional and peer support
for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers,
including volunteer cancer survivors
offering first-hand advice for patients coping
with treatment and other aspects of living
with cancer, says Sudhaharan Nair, general
manager of NCSM.
Other centres include Nuclear Medicine
Centre, which deals with medical imaging
procedures, and the Childrens Home of
Hope, which provides comfortable and
homely accommodation for children from
outstation seeking oncology treatment at
Kuala Lumpur General Hospital.
All these services are offered at subsidised
costs, making them more accessible to
patients while encouraging the public to take
preventive action against cancer.

United efforts
Advocating early education, NCSM
organises cancer prevention, anti-smoking
and healthy lifestyle talks in schools, colleges
and universities as well as road shows,
workshops and conferences in several
locations.
NCSM also organises the Relay for Life
charity run, which is held annually in KL,

Malacca and Penang.

This year, the run in its ninth year united
more than 3,000 people for the common
cause of celebrating survivorship as well
as fundraised for NCSM to help finance its
core services of preventive health screening,
education and support.
NCSM will also be the host of
UICCs (Union of International Cancer
Controls) World Cancer Congress 2018,
an international platform for information
exchange on the latest issues and
breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
As an NGO, NCSM depends largely on
fundraising proceeds and public donations
to keep its noble cause alive.

Focus on breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most prevalent
form of cancer in Malaysia with more than
6,000 new cases annually based on 2012
findings of the World Health Organizations
international cancer research project
GLOBOCAN.
One in 19 Malaysian women have a
lifetime risk of having breast cancer.
The survival rate for women with breast
cancer in Malaysia is 59% compared
with 75% in the United Kingdom, 86%
in the United States and 70% in Singapore.
In October, NCSM is observing Breast
Cancer Awareness Month with collaborative
activities to spread awareness on the
importance of early detection and living
with breast cancer.
Its clinic has been appointed as the sole
screening centre for Skim Kesihatan Wanita:
Mammogram Selangor (MammoSEL). NCSM
is also an entry point clinic for the National
Population and Family Development Board
(LPPKN).
We encourage women above the age of
40 to get a mammogram, which is available
at the KL and Penang centres, and all women
to perform monthly breast self-examinations
and go for regular screenings, says Nair.
We are also looking into acquiring a
mobile mammogram bus with threedimensional mammogram screening to
support us in our outreach programme.
The bus will enable us to bring healthcare
to the underprivileged and underserved
women in rural and urban communities.
We look forward to having corporate
partners to help make this happen.

n For more information,

visit www.cancer.org.my

THE best way to fight cancer is to know the

possible causes of cancer and overcome it.
Our immune system and the environment
are as important as our genes in determining
the likelihood that we will get cancer.
Natural Killer (NK) cells recognise and
destroy many types of virally infected cells.
When the body is stressed or in a diseased
state, the immune system can become
overloaded and activities in these protector
cells then become sluggish.
This is often compounded by medical
treatments, which further depress the
immune system.
Lentin Plus 1000 is the latest natural
immune enhancing complex that gives your
body extra protection against a wide range
of diseases and helps maintain good health.
For general health maintenance, it helps
regulate the immune system and increase
immunity by destroying infections and
abnormal cells.
Lentin Plus 1000 is an important
modulator for prevention and treatment and
also enhances cell apoptosis (programmed
cell death), which is the elimination of aged,
damaged and abnormal cells from the body.
Patients who have taken Lentin Plus 1000
lead a better quality of life as it does not
exhibit a cycle-on, cycle-off phenomenon.
Lentin Plus 1000 is made from rice bran
and broken down by the action of shiitake
mushroom enzymes via a patented process.
It is a predigested fibre, which has a lower
molecular weight that allows it to be easily
absorbed in the digestive tract to enter the
blood stream.
When taken as a supplement, it effectively

A strong immune system is important in the

battle against cancer.

helps strengthen the immune response by

increasing the activities of the bodys
lymphocytes or white blood cells, specifically
NK cells (300%), B cells (250%) and T cells
(200%).
Lentin Plus 1000 is distributed in more
than 50 countries worldwide and highly
recommended to those with immune
deficiencies and with personal or family
history of cancer.
Usefulness as a functional food:
l Immuno-stimulating action
l Anti-inflammatory action
l Combination therapy with a
chemotherapeutic agent
Effective for:
l Neuroblastoma
l Irritable bowel syndrome
l Hepatitis

n For more information, call 03-7803 6899

or e-mail info@lentinplus.net

SUNDAY STAR, 4 OCTOBER 2015

12 breast cancer awareness

AIA Bhd has introduced a new

cancer plan to protect Malaysians
against the financial impact of
battling cancer, which is now one
of the top killer diseases in the
country.
AIA considered the mid- to
long-term financial needs of those
fighting cancer to create a plan that
supports policyholders, be it in the
early or more advanced stages of
fighting the disease.
With A-Life Cancer360,
policyholders diagnosed with
early-stage cancer will receive an
upfront payment of 30% of the
coverage amount or sum assured
to help them seek immediate
treatment.
In the sixth and 12th month of
their diagnosis, they will receive
10% of the coverage amount as
Recovery Reward to support them
financially during the first critical
year after diagnosis.
When detected early, the
survival rate for breast and
ovarian cancers can be as high
as 90%, while the survival rate
for early-stage lung cancer is 70%.
To acknowledge the high chance
of recovery from early-stage
cancer, A-Life Cancer360 has a
valuable Power Reset feature.
If a cancer that is detected early
does not advance in the first year
of diagnosis, the plans Power Reset
feature automatically resets the
coverage amount to 100%.
This ensures that the customer
can enjoy full coverage should
there be a need to fight cancer
again.

Providing full coverage

If cancer is diagnosed at an
advanced stage, customers will
receive a one-off payment of the
full coverage amount.
They will also receive an annual
payment of 10% of the coverage
amount (called Extended Recovery
Income) for the next five years to
help them meet their mid- to longterm treatment needs.
A survey of our customers
showed that their biggest fear
when it comes to health is to be
diagnosed with cancer, says
Thomas Wong, chief marketing

officer of AIA Bhd.

As cancer impacts the family
emotionally, physically and
financially, we came up with a
plan that can lighten the financial
burden of families who are
impacted by the disease, so that
they can focus their energies on
treatment and recovery.
A-Life Cancer360 also recognises
that the real cost of cancer goes
beyond medical bills. It factors
in non-medical costs such as
transportation, household help,
alternative therapies, special

dietary supplements and childcare.

Often, these additional expenses
come at a time when patients
experience a loss of income due to
their inability to work during their
illness.
To celebrate the good health of
policyholders who stay cancer-free
or recover from early-stage cancer,
AIA will pay out 100% of the sum
assured when the policyholder
turns 80 years old, which is when
the policy ends.
Many Malaysians are unable to
access the best treatments due to

unaffordability and therefore they

either succumb to the illness or
risk bankruptcy, says Wong.
For A-Life Cancer360, AIAs
underwriting will only assess an
applicants risk related to cancer,
thus making the plan accessible to
more Malaysians.
The flexibility of A-Life
Cancer360 allows you to use the
money for treatments that best fit
your needs as well as for any other
expenses that may arise during the
course of your illness, says Wong.
To demonstrate its belief that
early detection saves lives, AIA
rewards policyholders who detect
cancer early.
If the cancer does not advance
in the first year, AIA will reset the
coverage amount.
The launch of A-Life Cancer360
coincides with AIA Bhds recent
project called The Health Report
Card by AIA that encourages
Malaysians to take control of their
health amid the rising trend of
lifestyle-related diseases.
The online campaign invites
Malaysians to send health report
cards to their loved ones after
assessing their diet, physical
activity and emotional well-being.

n For more information, visit

www.aia.com.my