Forty students from Raja Isteri Girls High School (STPRI) and Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien (SOAS) College gained knowledge about cancer at an awareness campaign organised by Children Matters Group, a government officers’ initiative from the 35th Executive Development Programme for Middle Management Officers (EDPMMO).
The ‘Shining a Light on Childhood Cancer’ awareness campaign featured talks by Head of Oncology and Palliative Consultant at Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre Dr Haji Zulkhairi bin Haji Mohammad and President of the Children’s Cancer Foundation (YASKA) Tsara’Nawwarah binti Abdullah Chen.
Dr Haji Zulkhairi highlighted the risk factors of developing cancers that include tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol including infection. He also shared the danger of vaping as recent studies show that e-cigarette users with a limited smoking history experience similar DNA changes to specific cheek cells as smokers.
Meanwhile, the YASKA president touched on their mission and shared several stories of fulfilling the wishes of children with cancer.
The campaign concluded with a session on the importance of volunteering by a member of the Children Matters Group. The campaign aimed to raise public awareness about the challenges faced by children with cancer and provide guidance to parents and guardians. – James Kon
