Etiqa and NCSM launch free mammogram Programme

The fight against breast cancer in Malaysia took a significant step forward with the launch of Phase 7 of Etiqa’s Free Mammogram Programme in partnership with the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM). The initiative, officiated by Communications Minister YB Datuk Fahmi Fadzil at Dataran Maybank, introduces a digital self-breast examination kit aimed at empowering women with sustainable preventive habits.

Expanding access to life-saving screenings

Phase 7 will provide free mammogram screenings for 4,000 underprivileged women aged 40 to 65 through 17 panel hospitals nationwide. Since the programme began in 2017, more than 34,595 women have undergone free screenings under Etiqa and NCSM’s partnership, with funding amounting to RM11.7 million.

The latest phase is designed not only to expand access to mammograms but also to provide women with the tools to monitor their own health at home. Every participant will receive the newly introduced digital self-breast examination kit, which comes with multilingual instructions to ensure inclusivity across Malaysia’s diverse communities.

Leong Su Yern, Chief Executive Officer of Etiqa Life Insurance Berhad, said the initiative reflects Etiqa’s long-term commitment to community health.

“With the launch of Phase 7 of Etiqa’s Free Mammogram Programme with NCSM, Etiqa reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that underprivileged women have access to early breast cancer detection, so that no one is left behind in the fight against the disease. Breast cancer has touched countless lives, and through this programme, we are empowering women with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to take charge of their own health,” she said.

New tools for sustainable prevention

The digital self-examination kit marks a first for the programme, introducing a structured system of follow-up and reminders. Women who receive the kit via NCSM’s outreach will be enrolled in the National Cancer Screening Registry (NCSR), where they will benefit from timely reminders, monthly prompts to perform self-checks, and annual notifications to schedule mammograms.

This mechanism ensures that screenings evolve from a one-off activity into a regular health practice. The initiative was further reinforced at the launch with hands-on workshops attended by more than 200 underprivileged women, who were guided on breast health awareness and practical self-examination techniques.

Dato’ Dr Saunthari Somasundaram, President of NCSM, highlighted the importance of sustained education.

“Early detection is the cornerstone of effective breast cancer treatment. By offering free mammograms and empowering women with self-examination kits in multiple languages, we are helping remove critical barriers to care. We remain committed to ensuring every woman, regardless of background, has access to potentially life-saving screening and education,” she said.

Bringing healthcare to the community

The launch builds on innovations introduced in previous phases, most notably Phase 5, which saw the roll-out of the Etiqa National Mobile Screening Clinic. Fully funded by Etiqa and operated by NCSM, the clinic delivers breast, cervical, and prostate cancer screenings directly to underserved communities in both rural and urban areas. To date, more than 50,000 Malaysians have benefitted from this mobile initiative.

Minister of Communications YB Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who officiated the launch, praised the collaboration as a model of public-private partnership that directly impacts the lives of vulnerable communities. The effort, he said, aligns with national health priorities by focusing on early detection and equitable access to healthcare.

As breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer among Malaysian women, the expansion of Etiqa’s Free Mammogram Programme underscores a growing movement to ensure that early detection becomes not just an opportunity for some, but a right for all.