KUALA LUMPUR: Losing a breast due to cancer is an emotional grief that not many women can easily overcome because they have to live with "imperfections", which often makes them feel insecure when socialising in a society.
However, the Cancer Survivor Malaysia (CSM) initiative to raise RM50,000 for the Bra Prosthesis and Mastectomy project through the Solo Cancer Fighter Tour since the beginning of this month has brought hope to those affected.
Through the journey, approximately 100 underpriviledged breast cancer patients, will receive mastectomy bra and silicone breast prosthesis.
This initiative is CSM's second project after successfully helping 170 underprivileged breast cancer patients to obtain funds for such programmes through various charity activities in 2022.
CSM founder and president Zuraini Kamal said not many people were aware that after undergoing mastectomy (breast removal surgery due to cancer), a person loses between 300 and 500g of weight, resulting in an imbalance in their body.
Furthermore, she said losing a breast could also cause patients to develop a hunchback posture, resulting in back pain.
"Therefore, at this stage, most affected women are given the option of wearing mastectomy bras with prosthesis or undergoing breast reconstruction to restore their original shape," she said.
Zuraini said the use of special mastectomy bras and prosthesis was undoubtedly much better than using regular bras with cloth or towels to replace prosthesis, as many post-mastectomy patients did.
"These bras have wider straps and pockets so that the prosthesis can be comfortably placed in without moving to support the weight of the fake breasts. But, we realise they are expensive, ranging from RM1,000 to RM3,000 depending on the material and brand.
"So, we initiated this journey to raise funds and hope it can raise awareness because this is the primary need of patients to restore their self-esteem and boost their confidence, femininity, and sexuality," she said.
The Solo Cancer Fighter Tour was carried out by Sarlinawati Abdul Mues, 47, who is also a stage four breast cancer survivor, by riding a WM ES250i scooter around the Peninsula, starting her 24-day trip covering a 3,000km journey from the National Cancer Institute (IKN) in Putrajaya on Oct 2 and will end in Ipoh, Perak.
"When I chose to do this, I wanted to do it as best as I could. This is my way of conveying the awareness message so that patients do not lose hope in fighting cancer. We need to be strong and face it as a test from Allah.
"I hope that with this journey, I can help more patients who need mastectomy bras and breast prosthesis to boost their confidence, which may have faded," she said.
For the recipient of the Bra Prosthesis and Mastectomy Project 2022 fund, Nur Hayati Sahak, 44, wearing these specialised bras helped her maintain the right weight and shape the balance of her chest and spine.
"After mastectomy surgery, I felt pain on my shoulder blade due to the imbalance of the breast. My body was tilted to one side, but after wearing mastectomy bras, the pain reduced significantly," said Nur, who was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in September 2019. – BERNAMA