Breast cancer event celebrates resilience and hope

The National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM), in collaboration with Novartis Malaysia and oncologists from Penang Adventist Hospital, hosted a heartfelt event titled “Gift of Time,” celebrating the strength and perseverance of breast cancer survivors.

This initiative, set in Penang, aims to foster a robust peer support network among survivors, offering them a safe space to share experiences and find strength in one another.

A platform for resilience and peer support

Penang, a state with the highest incidence of breast cancer in Malaysia, served as the ideal location for the “Gift of Time” event.

With breast cancer affecting 50 out of every 100,000 women in the state, the need for support and awareness is critical.

Unlike Western countries where breast cancer is more commonly diagnosed in women aged 60 to 70, Malaysian women often face this diagnosis in their 40s and 50s.

Dr. Dalilah Kamaruddin, Head of External Services at NCSM, emphasised the importance of holistic care for breast cancer survivors.

“The cancer journey extends beyond treatment. Breast cancer survivors must allow themselves time to adapt to their new reality.

The goal is to find the right balance between treatment and self-care for optimal physical, emotional, and social well-being, leading to improved quality of life,” she said.

The event featured wellness talks from leading oncologists, survivor-sharing sessions, and mindfulness activities, all designed to inform and inspire those who have faced breast cancer.

One participant, a 48-year-old advanced breast cancer (aBC) patient, shared her personal journey: “My journey, which began at 25 with ovarian cancer and continued through breast cancer and its relapse, has taught me invaluable lessons.

Every episode has been a call to reassess my life and embrace change. Hope is not just about survival; it’s about transforming and appreciating life in new ways, much like a butterfly undergoing metamorphosis.”

Advancements in breast cancer treatment

The “Gift of Time” event also served as an educational platform, providing survivors with insights into the latest advancements in breast cancer treatment.

Dr. Ang Soo Fan, Consultant Oncologist at Penang Adventist Hospital, highlighted the progress in the classification of breast cancer, noting that “breast cancer can generally be classified into hormone-positive, HER2+, and triple-negative breast cancers.

This distinction has led to treatment tailored to the patient’s breast cancer subtype, background, medical problems, and social needs.”

Dr. Kiley Loh, also a Consultant Oncologist at Penang Adventist Hospital, added, “Locally, many breast cancer patients are diagnosed in the advanced stages, and while it is a severe diagnosis, it’s important to note that medical innovation has come a long way.

When considering treatment options, quality of life is just as important as survival.

By combining the right treatment with regular exercise and healthy lifestyle habits, survivors can experience greater well-being.”

The “Gift of Time” event is part of a broader initiative by Novartis Malaysia and its partners to build a supportive community for breast cancer patients.

Mohamed Elwakil, Country President for Novartis Malaysia and Brunei, remarked, “‘Gift of Time’ is a platform that we’ve conceptualized to go above and beyond, together, for patients.

This series of events enables us to bring more partners on board – hospitals, patient advocacy groups, non-profit organisations – to serve more patients beyond providing innovative treatments. We’re looking forward to more partnerships in the future.”

Elwakil also highlighted the importance of peer support in cancer survivorship, stating, “Patients and caregivers who attended ‘Gift of Time’ were left feeling inspired: All of the guests from Penang said they would partake in another event like this if given the opportunity.

I believe that this is because we have done our groundwork and understand that peer support is an integral part of cancer survivorship.”

This event also marks Malaysia’s first APPISx event, a local initiative aligned with the larger APPIS (Alliance & Partnerships for Patient Innovation & Solutions) platform.

APPIS aims to unite patient communities and key stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem to address barriers within Malaysia and the region, improving access and outcomes for breast cancer patients.