Oct 31, 2018

Philips Malaysia urges women to look out for signs of breast cancer

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) Did you know that it only takes five minutes a day, once a month and a total of one hour a year to save your life? Breast cancer is one the most frequently detected cancers and is the second leading cause of death among women worldwide with an estimated 1.6 million new cases detected each year. In Malaysia, it is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths amongst women¹.

With early detection, thousands of lives can be saved each year. Many countries have shown a five-year survival rate of over 90% when the breast cancer is detected before it spreads to the lymph nodes². Philips believes in adopting an integrated approach with dedicated solutions to support breast cancer care across the health continuum.

There is a need for increasing awareness on preventive screening for breast cancer amongst Malaysians,” said Mr Muhammad Ali Jaleel, Country Manager of Philips Malaysia. “While digital mammography has proven to be a powerful diagnostic tool for early detection of breast cancer, it is also important to practise breast self-examination at home. It only takes a total of one hour in a year to save your life or that of a loved one.

Muhammad Ali Jaleel

Country Manager for Philips Malaysia

In conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness month, Philips Malaysia aims to create awareness on how Malaysians can detect the signs of breast cancer.

Signs of breast cancer

Here are seven common signs of breast cancers for Malaysians to be aware of. You will notice an unusual difference in size or shape, unusual rash or colour on skin, change in nipple position, turning in of the nipple, dimpling or puckering of the skin, unusual discharge from the nipple and unusual lump on any part of the breast.

How To Read The Signs

You can remove all your clothing and look at yourself in the mirror and check at four different angles.
Lie flat on your back with a pillow under your left shoulder and use your right hand to examine your left breast while your left hand stayed behind your head.
Imagine your breast as the face of a clock and start at 12 o’clock and feel along the boundary till you return to your stating position.
Move your left arm down to your side and then examine the breast tissue that extends into your armpit.
Lastly, repeat step 2 until step 4 and you’ve completed self-breast examination.

It is recommended to conduct the examination once a month or during pregnancy. Philips’ healthcare solutions for breast cancer care extend across the health continuum, with an integrated ecosystem of innovative healthcare technology for screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-ups. The portfolio includes mammography, ultrasound and imaging machines; advanced information systems that aid in diagnosis, remote consultation and evaluation of treatment outcomes; as well as radiation treatment machines.

To learn more about Philips Breast Cancer Solutions, please visit http://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/resources/landing/breast-cancer-solutions.

¹Barriers to breast self-examination practice among Malaysian female students: a cross sectional study, 2015, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4642456/

² Source: Philips Healthcare, 2016 - http://www.healthcare.philips.com/main/clinicalspecialities/WomensHealthCare/imaging/mammography/index.wpd

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2018 sales of EUR 18.1 billion and employs approximately 78,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.