Empowering the NUMed Community with Cancer Awareness Week

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and its impact is increasingly felt in Malaysia. Recognising the importance of education and proactive healthcare, members of the Empower Women’s Health programme at Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) recently hosted a Cancer Awareness Week to spread vital knowledge about cancer prevention and treatment.

Fully funded by the NU Women Fund from its parent campus, Newcastle University, UK, the event’s key focus was breast cancer.

“With one in 19 Malaysian women at risk of developing this disease, it is essential to foster a culture of early detection and self-care. This event was aimed at empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to detect the disease in its early stages, which can significantly improve chances of successful treatment and survival,” shared Ainul Farhana binti Abdul Razak, Lead of the Empower Women’s Health programme.

By bringing knowledge and resources directly to the campus, it was hoped that a supportive environment would be created where students, faculty, and staff could engage in open discussions with medical professionals, listen to personal stories from cancer survivors, and learn practical skills so they can be better informed to make healthy choices and share valuable information with others.

The event kicked off with an informative Breast Cancer Talk and Breast Self-Examination Hands-On workshop. Held in partnership with the Breast Cancer Support Group (BCSG) Johor Bahru, it featured Dr Leong Ai Chen from Gleneagles, who discussed symptoms, risk factors, and treatments. Students and staff were also taught how to perform a breast self-examination. Meanwhile, members of the BCSG were on hand to sell merchandise like pins, handicrafts and tote bags to raise funds for their cause.

Another highly anticipated activity was a webinar titled “Cracking the Cancer Code: Knowledge for Prevention and Control”, which brought together a distinguished panel of the university’s pre-clinical and clinical faculty, including Dr Vivian Verbo, Acting Dean of Academic Affairs; Dr Ma Brenda Pancho, Associate Professor in Public Health; Dr Leeneysh Sooriyapiragasam, Clinical Lecturer in Family Medicine; Dr Sein Yee Sint, Senior Clinical Lecturer in Obstetrics & Gynaecology; and Dr Soe Wunna Shwe, Senior Lecturer in Pathology.

The webinar provided insights into various aspects of cancer care, including cancer epidemiology in Malaysia, cancer among men, and cervical cancer prevention and control. There was also a Q&A session with Dr Brenda Pancho as the moderator, allowing participants to glean more information on the disease.

Throughout the week, NUMed held various other activities to engage the campus community in learning about cancer and its prevention. One of these was the Cancer Booth Competition, where students set up creative booths to educate people on the different types of cancer, preventive measures, and treatment options. The booths were replete with engaging displays, making the learning experience both interesting and informative. Additionally, women’s business booths were set up to sell a variety of foods, desserts, baked goods, and handicrafts.

Overall, the Cancer Awareness Week at NUMed was met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Students, faculty, and staff participated enthusiastically in the activities as they fostered a deeper understanding of cancer and took charge of their health.

"Cancer touches families, friends, and communities, often when we least expect it, and every step we take to educate ourselves brings us closer to reducing its impact. Through initiatives like Cancer Awareness Week, I hope we empower everyone in our community with the information, tools, and support needed to face cancer with strength and resilience," concluded Ainul Farhana.