Breast cancer study needs patients to volunteer

IN A bid to complete a research study on breast cancer, which has been initiated by the government this year, participation of Bruneian patients are strongly needed.

Oncology Specialist at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital Associate Professor Dr Hj Syafiq Abdullah said yesterday that the Ministry of Health is working closely with Universiti Brunei Darussalam's Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah (PAPRSB) Institute of Health Sciences in conducting research on breast cancer in the country and the result is expected to be done within a year or two, depending on the number of patient's sample.

"We need (breast cancer) patients to participate," he said, on the sidelines of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2012, organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Breast Cancer Support Group of Brunei Darussalam.

He also commented on a question posed by The Brunei Times about the cause of breast cancer that is affecting a surprising number of premenopausal women aged between 40 to 45 years old in the Sultanate, as cases are mostly found in 60 and above age group in western countries.

He cited that it is because of this study that there will be answers to the question. However, it was not easy to convince patients to participate in the study, he said.

"If the number of patients participating in the research are good, we should be able to complete (the study) within a year or two and we can see the results within the same time. But, if the participation rate is low, then of course the research will take a longer time," he added.

Among other focus of the study, he said, is to examine the the genetics of the young patients diagnosed with breast cancer and to find out other matters that promote the growth of the cancer.

In his presentation titled "Women and Breast Cancer in Brunei Darussalam", he highlighted that breast cancer is preventable and can be treated if detected early.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, which is globally and annually commemorated from October 530, aims to increase awareness of breast cancer, whereby women are reminded to be aware for earlier detection .

At the event, another speaker Head of Maternal Health Services Section at the Ministry of Health Dr Hjh Roslin Hj Sharbawi, presented a talk that touched the issues on breast cancer prevention.

During the opening ceremony, Datin Paduka Hjh Salmah Hj Hanafiah, the wife of the Minister of Health, said that based on the Ministry's National Cancer Registry, breast cancer is a leading cancer affecting women in Brunei, where 190 cases were detected from 2007 to September 2011.

"The majority of these patients are women aged between 30 to 55 years," said Datin Hjh Salmah.

In addition, she mentioned that in 2008 and 2010, patients were diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 20 and 24 years old, respectively. "It is understood that breast cancer is also the leading cause of death among women diagnosed with cancer for the past three years," she said.

Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health

Dr Hjh Maslina Hj Mohsin said that during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it aims to raise the public awareness and knowledge on breast cancer, including its prevention, especially among women.

The event also provided a question and answer session for participants as well as a sharing session from a breast cancer survivor.The Brunei Times