Kuala Lumpur:Access to early breast cancer screening should be expanded, particularly in rural areas, to improve early detection, as 50.5 percent of cases in Malaysia are diagnosed at Stages Three and Four.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister's wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, emphasized the need for a comprehensive effort involving individuals, families, communities, and employers, along with the use of technology to make screening more accessible to women. She highlighted the importance of extending campaigns to grassroots communities, especially in rural areas, where women can benefit from technological advancements to access screening. Additionally, outreach programs are necessary as women sometimes lack the time for screenings.

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bandar Tun Razak, noted that breast cancer was identified as the most common cancer in the country, accounting for 17.6 percent of all registered cancer cases According to Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report for the 2017-2021 period. She advocated for a whole-of-nation approach involving all segments of society, regardless of age and gender, and closer cooperation between government agencies and NGOs to ensure awareness campaigns and subsidies effectively reach target groups.

She also suggested that Malaysia learn from Sweden's approach of conducting annual screenings and Japan's practice of ensuring that employers provide female employees with time and facilities to undergo breast examinations.

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) deputy director-general (Clinical-Surgical) Prof Dr Nor'azim Mohd Yunus stated that the ESG Wellness 2026 Campaign focused on three main initiatives the B40 Breast Cancer Diagnostic Fund under PPUMCare, the B40 Robotic Breast Surgery Fund, and psychosocial support through the UMMC Candy Girls Support Group. UMMC is committed to integrating clinical expertise, research, and innovation, and has achieved a milestone by performing Malaysia's first robotic surgery for breast cancer treatment.

The Yayasan Canone Kianjoo contributed RM250,000 to support robotic surgery for eligible patients from the B40 group, based on clinical assessment. As of October 15, the campaign had received cash contributions totaling RM417,080 from 55 sponsors and contributing partners.