Two Sarawak NGOs help to close cancer gap for rural communities

Sarawak Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.at the outreach programme. Photo: SCAN

The lack of awareness about breast cancer symptoms as well as breast self examinations, and limited mammogram services are among the main reasons why marginalised communities face a greater cancer risk.

A cancer patient’s socioeconomic status and geographical location – known as the “equity gap” – has been said to greatly determine their chances of surviving cancer, says Dr Melissa Lim, a clinical lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, and member of the Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching (SCAN) and the Sarawak Breast Cancer Support Group (SBCSG).