Breast health is easy to put off when you feel fine. Yet seven in 10 Malaysian women aged 40 and above believed breast cancer screening was only necessary when symptoms were present, according to a 2023 nationwide study published in BMC Public Health.
That gap is what LAC Malaysia set out to close this Pink October. With FemFamm, a women-only community built around moving, learning and connecting, LAC Community gathered 85 women in pink at Reserve Pickle & Padel, Kota Damansara, for a morning of learning and movement.
Leading the talk were Dr Christina Lai Nye Bing, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Hospital Picaso, and Cynthia Jetan, Consultant Nutritionist for LAC Malaysia. Their shared message on breast health: feeling well does not always mean everything is fine.
Table of Contents
Breast Health Myths: No Family History, No Pain, No Problem?
Dr Lai said two misconceptions come up often in her practice: “If I have no family history, I do not need to worry,” and “If it does not hurt, it cannot be serious.”
“The truth is that most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a strong family history,” she said, adding that early breast cancer is often painless. “No family history does not mean no risk, and no pain does not mean no problem.”
Many women delay seeking advice out of fear, busy schedules or hope that a change will go away. Dr Lai urged them not to wait.
“Finding a change does not mean it is cancer, and many breast changes are benign, but it does mean it deserves a proper assessment,” she said.
A lump is not the only sign. Other changes to look out for include:
- Skin dimpling
- Nipple changes
- Spontaneous discharge, especially bloody discharge
- Swelling in the armpit
Screening Is for Women Without Symptoms
“Screening is for women without symptoms. If you have a lump or other breast change, do not wait for a screening appointment. Please seek diagnostic assessment promptly,” said Dr Lai.
Mammograms can detect changes before they can be felt. The right time to start is worked out with a doctor based on each woman’s family history, medical history and other risk factors, rather than age alone.
Hospital Picaso also hosted a booth at the event, featuring a breast assessment demo.
Nutrition for Breast Health: Add, Don’t Cut
Cynthia said there is no special ‘breast health diet’. Instead, Pink October is a reminder to look at the bigger picture: what we eat, how active we are and how well we rest.
“Instead of thinking about what we need to cut out, think about what we can add to the meals we already enjoy. Having nasi campur? Add one more serving of vegetables. Having teh tarik? Add a glass of plain water,” said Cynthia.
For busy women, she suggested keeping boiled eggs, cut fruit or cooked vegetables in the fridge, carrying a water bottle and not skipping meals. She also highlighted vitamin D and omega-3 from oily fish, nuts and seeds, noting that supplements can fill gaps but do not replace a balanced diet.
She encouraged women to think of good nutrition as something they do for their future selves.
5 Breast Health Habits to Keep All Year
Dr Lai closed by urging women to make breast health a routine part of self-care, not something to think about only during Pink October. Her five reminders:
- Know what is normal for your breasts.
- Do not ignore a new change.
- Know your family history.
- Discuss screening at the right age, and earlier if you have risk factors.
- Make time for your own health, even when you are busy caring for others.
Pink-Lates Pilates for a Good Cause
After a Q&A and a true-or-false quiz on breast cancer myths, participants joined a beginner-friendly, low-impact Pink-Lates Pilates session led by The Flow Studio to move, release tension and reconnect with their bodies.
All participation fees from the session, amounting to RM2,852.98, will be donated to the Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia (BCWA). Founded in 1986, the non-profit offers peer support to women affected by breast cancer and promotes early detection.
Through LAC Community, LAC Malaysia continues to create accessible wellness experiences where women can learn from experts. For upcoming activities, follow @lacmalaysia and @laccommunity.my on Instagram.
