As health awareness rises, cancer remains a major public health challenge, with breast cancer being the most common among women.
Regular screening and early detection are crucial for improving survival rates. However, stigma and misinformation continue to hinder progress in the fight against the disease.
Misconceptions can delay medical intervention, and the stigma around cancer often prevents open conversations.
To counter these challenges, a group of passionate medical students from the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences (PAPRSB IHS) at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) has taken proactive steps to address the knowledge gaps and cultural barriers that persist around breast cancer screening.
Founded in 2024, Cancer Catcher is composed of third-year medical students, all driven by a collective mission to enhance breast cancer screening awareness.
This project specifically aims to dispel myths and reduce the stigma surrounding breast cancer screening in the UBD community.
By fostering understanding and engagement, the group hopes to inspire more women to take control of their health, thereby contributing to early detection and timely interventions.
Cancer Catcher’s first major event was a series of roadshows, held in high-traffic areas within UBD, including the main lobby of the university’s library and the concourse area of the Institute of Health Sciences (IHS).
These roadshows were designed to maximise engagement with the UBD community and educate students and staff about breast cancer and the importance of screening.
The team provided essential information on early detection, the significance of regular screenings, and most importantly, they addressed the deep-rooted stigma often associated with breast cancer screening.
“We wanted to create an environment where people felt comfortable asking questions about breast cancer, and where they could walk away feeling empowered to take charge of their health,” said Nurhidayatul binti Awang Azman, one of the members of Cancer Catcher.
The roadshows also included interactive games, quizzes, and gifts, which not only attracted attention but also made the learning process enjoyable.
While much of Cancer Catcher’s efforts have been focused on the UBD population, the team has also reached out to the public.
They took part in a two-day Health Carnival held in the IHS’ concourse area.
Alongside other student groups, Cancer Catcher showcased their project and engaged with attendees to promote breast cancer screening awareness.
HANDS-ON LEARNING FOR A CRUCIAL SKILL
“This carnival allowed us to extend our message beyond the university and reach the broader community,” noted Nurbatrisyia binti Haji Abdul Manan.
“The more people we can reach, the greater the chance we have of creating a more informed and health-conscious society.”
Among the most impactful events hosted by Cancer Catcher was their Self Breast Examination Workshop.
The hands-on session was conducted with a limited number of participants, ensuring that each attendee received personalised guidance and training on how to perform self-examinations.
The workshop was a collection of the students’ own volunteer experiences at the Early Detection and Cancer Prevention Services (EDCPs) at Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC), where they gained first-hand knowledge about breast cancer in Brunei and learnt the proper techniques for breast self-examination.
“Empowering people with the skills to perform self-examinations is one of the best ways we can promote early detection,” explained team member Bryan Wong Xiu Yong.
“Many people don’t realise how crucial it is to catch any abnormalities early, and that it can truly make a life-or-death difference.”
The workshop received praise from participants, many of whom expressed a newfound confidence in their ability to monitor their own breast health.
The event demonstrated that education, when delivered with care and precision, can foster a sense of ownership over one’s health and encourage proactive behaviour.
FUTURE PLANS
The team pledged to continue spreading awareness about breast cancer screening, dispelling myths, and encouraging early intervention as a means to improve survival rates.
“We are incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, but we know there’s still so much work to be done,” said team member Siti Farahiyah Teo binti Muhammad Zakwan Teo.
“We’re excited to keep pushing forward with our mission, and we hope to inspire even more people to take part in our future events.” – Rizal Faisal
