A two-kilometre ‘Unite Against Cancer’ walkathon, in conjunction with World Cancer Day 2024, was held in the capital yesterday.
The walkathon, organised by Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC), was officiated by Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, alongside Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin and Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid. Also in attendance were deputy ministers.
PJSC’s Dr Raden Mas Jeffri Raden Mas Ismail, who is the chairperson of Brunei’s World Cancer Day 2024 committee, said, “The rate of cancer in Brunei Darussalam is a ratio of one in three women and one in four men.
“The rate of cancer is expected to increase in the next decade as the country is expected to face an increase of ageing population within the next two decades.”
He noted that the most effective way to curb cancer is prevention and early detection.
“PJSC has always actively work closely with the Ministry of Health to raise public awarenesson cancer, particularly on the most common types of cancer,” he said, adding that national cancer screening programmes are available for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer.
According to PJSC, World Cancer Day 2024 is the third and final year of adopting the theme of ‘Close the Care Gap’. The theme highlights the urgency of identifying inequalities in the provision of cancer care, and is a global call to action to ensure that efforts are being made to overcome them. Examples include increasing cancer screening, detection and diagnosis to improve patients’ survival rate, and optimising the understanding and awareness of cancer in the community to reduce the stigma surrounding the disease.
The walkathon was a proactive effort by the committee to elevate the importance of adopting a healthy and active lifestyle to ignite the quality of life and reduce sedentary behavior in solidarity with the efforts to unite against cancer.
Attendees were invited to stamp their hand onto the pledge wall to symbolise a collective pledge of unity to answer the call of the ‘Close the Gap’ theme. The event also saw interactive games and thematic booths, lucky draw entries and other exhibitions.
During the event, attendees were also encouraged to scan and check in with the BruHealth app to earn Brupoints.
Meanwhile, the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Bridge and the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge are lit up in blue and orange, the official colours of World Cancer Day, until February 8, to mark the occasion. – James Kon
