BY PRISCA ROBIN
KUCHING: Over 300 participants clad in pink filled Dataran Merdeka this morning in conjunction with the launch of the October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a show of solidarity with cancer survivors and a tribute to the strength and resilience of Sarawakian women.
President of the Pink Ribbon Support Group Sarawak, Suriani Rapaiee, said that the main objective of the campaign is to raise awareness of the importance of early detection through regular check-ups and Breast Self-Examination (BSE).
“Beyond awareness, this campaign also celebrates courage and hope – a message to all women that there is life after cancer.
“With the theme ‘Going Beyond the Pink’, we want to break the stigma surrounding breast cancer and empower survivors to share their stories,” she said during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month launch today..
Among the activities lined up throughout the month are outreach programmes in Sri Aman and Gedong, which include cancer awareness talks, breast self-examination demonstrations and health screenings.
A Pink Aerobics session was also held to further strengthen solidarity, with participants donning pink attire as a symbol of courage, perseverance and continued efforts to eliminate stigma against cancer patients.
One of the participants, Mastura Kabar, 57, shared her 14-year journey battling stage four breast cancer since being diagnosed in 2011.
She revealed that she has undergone more than 200 chemotherapy sessions since her first surgery in 2012.
“During my treatment, I experienced side effects such as hair loss and chronic fatigue.
“Still, I never gave up, even after being abandoned by my husband and family,” she said.
Mastura said that her youngest child became her greatest source of strength throughout the ordeal.
“At that time, my youngest was preparing for the Form Three exam. When his father left, I told him, ‘Take it as a test from God — what your mother is going through is far worse.’”
Today, her son, now in Form Five, remains her motivation to stay strong and live life with gratitude and resilience.
Another survivor, Dayang Rahmah Awang Adeng, 76, also shared her experience battling stage one breast cancer while caring for her husband, who was then undergoing cancer treatment.
“When I was diagnosed, I was heartbroken because I was already caring for my husband, who was also battling cancer at the hospital,” she recalled.
Dayang underwent surgery in 2006 while simultaneously tending to her late husband’s needs.
“For all cancer fighters out there, never be afraid to go for early screening,” she urged.
The emotionally charged event not only strengthened awareness of early detection but also inspired breast cancer survivors to continue their fight with courage and hope.
Also present were Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63, and Federal-State Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Mayor, Datuk Hilmy Othman.
