KUCHING: The resilience and hope of cancer survivors will be showcased at a public event here to commemorate World Cancer Day next month.
The Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching (SCAN) is partnering with Plaza Merdeka to host the event, "Raising Patient Voices Through Form and Fashion", on Feb 4.
World Cancer Day was established in 2000 by the Union for International Cancer Control, which has chosen "Close the Care Gap" as its theme for 2022-2024.
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"Despite basic healthcare in Malaysia, there are still disparities in care, particularly for patients from rural areas who face financial constraints (such as) travel and treatment costs," SCAN said in a statement on Monday (Jan 30).
It said patients and their families faced further financial hardship due to the rising cost of cancer treatments and drugs, which were not typically covered by government subsidies.
"As a result, some are forced to abandon treatment and succumb to cancer," it added.
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The event will include a forum by doctors who will share their knowledge of and experience with cancer, its impact on patients and families, early detection and prevention, cancer myths and living with the disease.
There will also be a talk on cancer recovery by Amanita Sarawak, a social enterprise offering products and services for women recovering from breast cancer.
The highlight of the event will be a fashion show featuring cancer survivors and caregivers, serving as a platform to share stories of hope, resilience and perseverance.
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It aims to raise awareness on the emotional and psychological impact of cancer, destigmatise the disease and emphasise the importance of emotional and psychological support for patients.
The celebration will end with a symbolic lighting up of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex at night.
