| Lyna Mohamad |
ONE of the events that took place at the Bandarku Ceria yesterday was an event marking the Breast Cancer Awareness programme that also marked the conclusion of the month-long Breast Cancer Awareness activities.
In a brief interview, the Minister of Health, Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi, called on the public to come forward should they observe symptoms of cancer as treatment at the early stage gives higher chances of survival.
Highlighting his remarks recently on breast cancer where he pointed out that over the past 10 years, more than 800 new cases of breast cancer were recorded and although more people were diagnosed, people were still coming forward when the cancer is at an advanced stage.
Statistics showed that one in eight women are likely to develop breast cancer. Raising awareness of breast cancer is very important and the minister stressed the need for every women to do breast self-examination every month and if they are not sure how to do it they can always call the Darussalam Line 123 and they will be directed to the Health Promotion Centre.
They can also ask for a general check-up through appointments at health clinic/centre said the minister, adding that although the chances are much lower, men can also get breast cancer.
So let us together raise awareness on breast cancer as the person suffering from breast cancer is not the only one suffering as her children, husband and colleagues also bear the burden, said the minister.
Cabinet Ministers and senior goverment officials in a group photo. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
On another note, the minister also said the Bandarku Ceria activity as one of the positive moves towards healthy living.
“So what we are doing every Sunday morning at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, I think the fact that His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam himself came down for recreational activities with the people is so exciting and this is the support from the highest political level and you cannot ask for more. I am very touched because His Majesty himself is very concerned for the health of his people,” the minister added.
Having mentioned that one in every two children over the age of five and below are either overweight or obese, the minister expressed his concerns on these children’s future.
If they are not taken care of now, there might be big problems in the future in terms of their health, he said..
“I have to say over the past five Sundays the number has been increasing and I am very confident knowing our people will continue to support this.”
The post Minister of Health urges nation to start living healthy appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.