| Wani Roslan |
“AN ESTIMATED number of 130 newly diagnosed breast cancer cases are observed annually,” said Medical Director of Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC) and the Director and Head Medical Oncologist at The Brunei Cancer Centre (TBCC) Dato Seri Laila Jasa Dr Babu Sukurman.
He made these comments when the PJSC yesterday hosted the Breast Cancer Symposium 2018 in conjunction with the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is celebrated worldwide every year in October.
The event, held at The Rizqun International Hotel in Gadong, was attended by over 100 health care personnel, doctors, nurses and allied personnel from both government and private sectors across the country.
PJSC Executive Director Dr Mazrul Adimin bin Haji Awang Besar in his welcoming remarks said its mission is striving to make a meaningful difference through personalised, excellent and quality healthcare services that are safe, efficient and people-centred.
He emphasised on the PJSC’s strategic focus in constituting accessible cancer healthcare for local citizens and residents, including its state-of-the-art facilities, where specialised diagnostic and therapeutic treatments such as Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine are now available.
Dato Seri Laila Jasa Dr Babu Sukurman whose talk entitled, ‘Epidemiology of Breast Cancer in Brunei Darussalam, and the Role of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)’ raised concerns over the rising number of breast cancer cases in Brunei Darussalam, which can seriously affect both women and men, although it is mostly prevalent in women.
He also reiterated that the disease can affect all age groups, but the median age occurrence in Brunei Darussalam is 10 years younger when compared to the Western population.
Consultant Oncologist from the National University Hospital (NUH) in Singapore Lee Soo Chin spoke on the role of genetics and recent advances in breast cancer management.
Consultant Surgeon from the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital Dr Amalinda binti Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi spoke on the topic of performing breast-conserving surgery and a sentinel node biopsy.
Other subjects presented by the speakers included the importance of early breast cancer screening by performing regular breast self-examinations (BSEs), or via diagnostic breast imagining such as ultrasound imaging and/or a mammogram.
The symposium concluded with a panel discussion among the attendees, who were told that while there are no guarantees to prevent the occurrence of breast cancer, the risks can be reduced by adopting a healthy lifestyle that incorporates plenty of exercise and a balanced diet.