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This Spotlight is sponsored by HOMESOY.
How often do we put our loved ones' needs before our own?
For many women, family and daily responsibilities come first, while their own health takes a back seat
Yet, when it comes to breast cancer, waiting until symptoms appear could mean missing the chance for early detection.
According to WHO/IARC GLOBOCAN 2022 data, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Malaysia, accounting for roughly one in three female cancer cases, with an incidence rate of about 1 in 20 women.
While early detection yields survival rates close to 90%, the Malaysian National Cancer Registry report highlights that nearly 50% of local cases are still diagnosed late at stage three or four, with stage four survival rates plummeting to 23%.
Given that the National Health and Morbidity Survey reveals 75% of women above the age of 40 have never had a mammogram in their lifetime, closing this screening gap is more urgent than ever.
That's why HOMESOY has been running 'Stop That Dot Together', over the years growing from just raising awareness to becoming a community-led movement.
It encourages families, friends, and communities to play an active role in supporting the women around them. By standing together, HOMESOY hopes to empower more women to prioritise their breast health with confidence and support.
This year, the campaign features a social experiment video about the barriers women face when considering screening
Watch the video below:
The video looks at why women hesitate to get screened, and how encouragement from the people around them can help them take that step.
Support can be practical: helping to check appointment times and costs, offering a lift, or looking after the kids while someone attends their screening.
And not least, the campaign also tackles the misconception that soya products increase breast cancer risk
Numerous scientific studies show that soya does not cause breast cancer; rather, higher soya consumption among Asian women correlates with a lower risk of developing it.
Soya contains isoflavones, which are naturally occurring compounds that are classified as phytoestrogens. They compete with human estrogen in the body and limit its activity, helping to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
To help women make the important step, HOMESOY is making breast cancer screening more accessible to women
Through its collaboration with Columbia Asia and NCSM, HOMESOY is offering a total of 200 free breast cancer screenings to encourage more women to take a proactive step towards early detection.
Additionally, HOMESOY is partnering with NCSM and over 40 medical centres nationwide to provide complimentary packs of HOMESOY 3.0 Soya Milk to individuals who undergo breast cancer screenings at participating locations.
These include Sunway Medical Centre, Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Prince Court Medical Centre, and participating KPJ and Columbia Asia hospitals.
In total, HOMESOY is contributing RM100,000 worth of soya milk in support of this initiative.
To learn more about HOMESOY's Stop That Dot Together campaign, you can visit this website
You can also follow HOMESOY on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a healthcare professional regarding the reader's own medical care.