Samitivej launched the 4th “October Go Pink: FIND IT NOW. STOP IT NOW.” The campaign, which has been running for 4 consecutive years, will continue to raise awareness on breast cancer and encourage women to take care of themselves.
Breast cancer is one of the most serious diseases that have threatened women’s lives around the world. The global campaign, Pink Ribbon, has been initiated and launched worldwide to raise awareness of the disease among women. In Thailand, similar campaign has been conducted. In the past three years, millions of people have participated in the breast cancer campaign activities. So far, a lot of people have donated hair and 500 wigs have been donated to breast cancer patients who lost hair in chemotherapy.
This year, Samitivej cooperates with MET Radio, Pinn Shop, Mark Thawin, Jawbone, Newravan Hair Center, and the Chulabhorn Institute in accepting hair for wig making. The wigs will be donated to the Chulabhorn Institute. Hat crochet activity will also be arranged and the hats made in this activity will be given to patients who lose hair from cancer treatment. Drainage bags will also be made and given to patients after surgery.
Dhun Damrongsak, M.D., Deputy CEO – Group 2, and Hospital Director of Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, said, “Breast cancer is the No.1 disease found in Thai women, mostly those aged 40 years up. Most of the patients become aware of the disease and come to see doctor when the disease has gone far. Considering this, Samitivej has been working hard to prevent it at the beginning. We have organized various educational activities to allow women to protect themselves and know how to live well when they are diagnosed of having breast cancer. We have established the breast center and offered surgery, chemotherapy and other treatment of breast cancer. We have equipped the center with a team of experts and state-of-the-art equipment. The center now serves all patients in and outside Thailand. With all these offering, we are in a strong position to raise awareness on the disease and encourage women to take good care of themselves because we know that if we find it now, we can stop it now.”
The “October Go Pink 2014” event will provide information on how to stay healthy. A team of experienced nurses will teach interested persons on how to perform breast cancer self-examination. This year, Samitivej will bring to the event the latest innovation involving blood testing for BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes that help repair damaged DNA. If the two genes are malfunctioned, damaged DNA will not be repaired, thus increases risk of breast cancer. The innovation will be presented by Wichai Vasanasiri, MD, surgeon specialized in breast cancer surgery.
More than 80% of breast cancer patients have found the sign through self-examination. Samitivej recommended women to examine their breast every month. The best time is during 7-10 days after menstrual period because the breasts are soft and easy to examine. For postmenopausal women, it is recommended that they check on the same date every month. For more accurate examination, women aged 40 years up should go for 3D mammogram and ultrasound check. Those whose family members have breast cancer should regularly see doctor.
One effective way to prevent breast cancer is to exercise. This year, Jawbone, the producer of exercise measurement equipment such as step count, calories burned calculator and sleep tracker, will participate in the event and provide some interesting tips on how to make your exercise more fun and more effective.
“Through good cooperation from all parties concerned, a campaign against breast cancer will be very successful. With awareness and sufficient knowledge, women will be able to take good care of themselves and protect their loved ones from the cancer and enjoy quality of life in the future,” said Dr. Dhun.
