Tuesday May 14, 2013

Support group to create breast cancer awareness in Johor Baru

JOHOR BARU: Doris Boo (pic) was only 42 when she discovered a cancerous lump in one of her breasts.

“I was experiencing some discomfort and after doing self-examination, I felt a marble-sized lump in one of my breasts,” she said.

Boo immediately visited her family doctor who then referred her to a hospital for a mammogram.

“The surgeon confirmed the lump was cancerous and advised me to go for surgery as soon as possible,” added retired teacher Boo, who is now 60.

In 1996, she underwent a mastectomy at a private hospital here and all her lymph nodes were removed.

Boo became a healthier person after that. She now exercises regularly and sticks to a healthy diet.

“To get through such a traumatic incident, you need encouragement and support from your family and friends,'' she said, adding that her husband and two children were very understanding.

Boo is the current president of the Breast Cancer Support Group Johor Baru, which has 393 members, including 246 survivors.

She said many breast cancer patients usually could not accept the fact that they had been diagnosed with the disease.

“Many remain silent and only decide to get treatment when the cancer has reached terminal stage, but by then it is too late,” she said at a press conference here yesterday.

Boo added that the group would be organising a “Celebrate Wellness” day at the Plaza Pelangi shopping complex here this Sunday to create awareness on early detection.

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