Yeop: Everybody can play a role, not just in elimination but through support, which is why Teal Asia is all about peer-to-peer support, whether it’s for caregivers, families or global health implementers.
KUALA LUMPUR: Teal Asia, Malaysia’s first peer-to-peer cervical cancer support movement, has kicked off its week-long campaign to bring awareness around cervical cancer elimination in Malaysia.
Launched in celebration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, the week of events will drive efforts towards achieving elimination goals set by the WHO.
Teal Asia aims to bring cervical cancer out of the shadows and empower communities to take action through survivor-led storytelling, inclusive outreach and sustained partnerships.
Selina Yeop Jr, the movement’s founder and a WHO-recognised patient advocate, said at the launch that breaking stigmas and increasing discourse about the disease and prevention is critical to reaching elimination targets.
“We must normalise conversation around this topic,” Yeop told StarBiz.
“The mission is not just to raise money but so that people will no longer be hesitant to talk about it or go for screenings.”
According to WHO, cervical cancer is the only cancer in the world that can be prevented and potentially eradicated through access to screenings, treatment and vaccination.
Yeop started Teal Asia after her own difficult journey through the diagnosis and treatment process.
She realised at that time the necessity of emotional support and community connection for healing.
The movement is therefore built about amplifying patient experiences, fostering solidarity and advocating for life-saving screenings.
Its work also involves reaching out with culturally sensitive messaging to communities and groups that have often been neglected such as rural women, caregivers and men.
“Husbands and children also play an important role in offering support to their wives, mothers and daughters.
“They can help to cook, clean and take care of young children while the women go for screenings,” Yeop said.
“Everybody can play a role, not just in elimination but through support, which is why Teal Asia is all about peer-to-peer support, whether it’s for caregivers, families or global health implementers.”
The movement is described as a community that encompasses not just patients and survivors but caregivers, husbands, children and allies that walk alongside those affected.
“I didn’t want to call it a foundation or a non-governmental organisation – I want it to be a movement that can engage with as many people as possible, so that anyone can be part of it by believing in it and playing their part.
“This is how I believe we will reach elimination goals,” said Yeop.
Activities throughout this week-long campaign will be held in support of the ROSE Foundation, a non-profit organisation seeking to deliver equitable cervical screening with a focus on accessible human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling, community-based care and impactful awareness initiatives.
Proceeds from the initiatives will go towards expanding ROSE’s screening and outreach programmes.
Events for the week include Teal Thursday Tea – Men Matter Too, an afternoon featuring expert insights highlighting male allies, as well as Teal Tuesday, where corporations and communities wear teal to encourage dialogue around HPV prevention and early screening.
Activities also extend to areas such as fashion and fitness, an afternoon tea session featuring The Teal Edition by fashion label Romyda KL, a day of pickleball as well as padel competitions to celebrate health, unity and generosity.
