KUALA LUMPUR: Pink Ribbon Wellness Foundation chairman Dr M. Devanand thanked the Government for announcing the free mammogram checks for women during the Budget 2013.

"The women who really need this are those in the rural areas," he said, calling for more information on how women can apply for the free check-ups.

One of the major challenges in fighting against breast cancer is getting women in rural areas to go for regular checkups, he said.

According Dr M. Devanand, most women diagnosed with advanced stages of breast cancer were from outside of the city.

"Many from rural areas are only diagnosed during the third stage of the cancer, while those from the city here are more likely to be diagnosed during the first or second stage.

"Women in the rural areas may not have access to the same information and facilities we have in the city," he said during a press conference.

He added that about 50 percent of Malaysian women only detected the cancer during advanced stages as they did not go for regular check-ups.

"We are also seeing more younger women getting breast cancer, which is worrying, as the cancer is more aggressive in younger people," he said during the Life Beyond Breast Cancer International Symposium here Thursday.

Earlier, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, who opened the three-day event urged women not to avoid going for check ups because they feared discrimination or being looked at differently.

She also announced a personal contribution of RM50, 000 for the foundation to award individuals or organisations, which contributed to treatment or the prevention of breast cancer.

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