KOTA KINABALU – Malaysia has seen a dramatic rise in breast cancer cases over the past two decades, with diagnoses jumping from 3,000 to 8,400 annually, according to data revealed at the 2025 Breast Health and Wellness Campaign.
Late Detection Rates Climbing
Datuk Dr. M. Devanand, consultant breast surgeon and founder of the Pink Ribbon Wellness Foundation, shared concerning trends:
- 48% of cases are now diagnosed at Stage 3 or 4, up from 43% two decades ago (Ministry of Health data).
- 7 women die daily from breast cancer, though underreporting may mean the actual toll is higher.
- No current data for Sabah, with the latest available statistics dating back to 2016, hindering progress tracking.
"Despite efforts, we’re still not preventing enough cases or catching them early," Dr. Devanand said.
Early Detection Saves Lives
The difference between early and late-stage diagnosis is stark:
✔ Stage 1-2 survival rate: 99-100% with simpler, more affordable treatment.
✔ Stage 3-4: Treatment becomes costly, complex, and emotionally taxing, often leaving patients feeling hopeless.
"This is where we step in—offering not just medical aid but emotional support to help women fight back," Dr. Devanand said, highlighting the role of NGOs like Pink Ribbon and KPR.
Lifestyle and Screening Key to Prevention
The campaign emphasized:
✔ Regular mammograms for women 40+ and ultrasounds for younger women.
✔ Awareness of symptoms and risks to encourage early checks.
✔ Healthy habits—diet, exercise, and hygiene—to reduce risk.
"Education is our strongest tool. The risk isn’t going away, but early detection can change outcomes," Dr. Devanand stressed.
Survivors Lead the Charge
Lasimbang, a breast cancer survivor, praised NGOs for providing RM350 financial aid to 20 patients and vowed to advocate for better women’s healthcare policies, especially in rural and underserved areas.
"We must never forget the strength of breast cancer fighters—they are symbols of hope," she said.
Attendees included:
- Dato’ Dr. Ibrahim Wahid, oncology specialist (Pink Ribbon Wellness Foundation)
- Datin Lucilla Pang, KPR founder
- Yong Lee Lee, Pink Ribbon Wellness Foundation honorary CEO
- Christy Fe Salazar, KPR president
- Yvonne Dumpangol, KPR vice president
- Breast cancer survivors from across Sabah
Image taken from Pink Ribbon WellnessFoundation's fb.