(From left) Kartini, Azharina, Lim, Vierhaus, Loh, Dr Nur Fadlina, Atilia and Hiba during the Moments of Care launch at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur. — Photos: ONG SOON HIN/The Star
WELL-KNOWN names in the entertainment industry teamed up with a skincare brand and health and beauty retailer to spotlight early detection in the battle against breast cancer.
At the “Moments of Care” initiative’s launch, former television host and actress Dr Kartini Kamalul Ariffin shared about her journey as a breast cancer survivor while singer, songwriter and actress Atilia Haron recalled the time she was a caregiver to her mother, who is also a cancer survivor.
Another breast cancer survivor and breast cancer awareness advocate Hiba Abdul Rahman joined in the sharing session and spoke on her experience.
“I was grateful to be diagnosed early and even more grateful for my family and medical staff because they are a good support system,” said Hiba during the launch at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
Azharina giving a powerful rendition of ‘Girl on Fire’.
Kartini, who was also the event’s emcee, related her own experience: “I missed weekend outings as it was the time when I had to go for radiotherapy, so eventually the trips to the hospital became a family outing on its own.”
Atilia said she was in her 20s when she found out about her mother’s illness.
“I was wondering why she was so easily angered and irritable, but to be fair, I was a rebellious girl myself,” she said.
When the news eventually broke, she learned to take care of her mother and helped her through the cancer treatment.
The experience also brought mother and daughter closer.
Supporting the cause is Nivea that has pledged to donate RM50,000 – from its product sales at Watsons – to Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia (BCWA).
Christopher Vierhaus, country manager (Malaysia and Singapore) of Beiersdorf which manufactures Nivea products, said: “At Nivea, care is at the core of everything we do; our commitment extends beyond skincare into essential health and well-being.”
According to Pantai Hospital consultant clinical oncologist Dr Nur Fadlina Abdul Satar, the incidence of breast cancer is as high as one in every 19 women.
“Lots of women come in with late-stage breast cancer because they do not expect it to happen to them.
“There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding cancer, and one of them is that it can only happen in your older years.
“Unfortunately, cancer can appear at any age.
“Malaysia’s breast cancer survival statistics are 66.8%, which is low compared to our neighbouring countries,” said Dr Nur Fadlina.
“Cases of breast cancer have increased in recent years.
“A greater incidence rate is observed from 2017 to 2021, compared to 2012 to 2016, in Malaysia among those aged 40 onwards and particularly the 65 to 69 age group,” she added.
A nurse from BCWA demonstrated breast self-examination to educate both women and men on identifying worrying lumps.
Singer Azharina Azhar, who is also a cancer survivor, took to the stage to perform Alicia Keys’ Girl on Fire.
The song was chosen to underscore the characteristics of self-belief and perseverance of cancer warriors.
The “Moments of Care” initiative is in conjunction with Pink October, the Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Also present were BCWA president Lim Kim Foong and Watsons Malaysia managing director and AS Watson (health and beauty Asia) chief operating officer Caryn Loh.
