THE social stigma associated with cancer can be devastating - hair loss, coupled with fear, rejection and isolation.
Regardless of what one may experience, it is important to have the right support.
Learning to be comfortable with one's body during and after breast cancer treatment is a personal journey, one that is different for every woman. A change of mindset is pertinent for every brave woman to stand up and fight the disease.
Aimi Yusoff was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer (stage 4) but was never discouraged from fighting cancer.
Throughout her seven years of undergoing treatment and up until now, she has been doing her best to endure and pull through, with valuable support and love from her family and friends.
"As a breast cancer survivor, I want to remind everyone that it is so important for us to listen to our body and go for regular check-ups. I truly believe that early detection can save lives. In everything we do in life, it's all about mind over matter," she says.
More campaigns and initiatives about breast cancer should be held she adds as it can make a difference in the lives of thousands of women.
Consultant clinical oncologist, Dr Mastura Md Yusof says breast cancer has a high cure rate if detected early and given correct treatment, at the correct time by a dedicated team with a special interest in breast cancer.
It is important for women to check their breasts regularly to look out for any irregularities because they should know how their breasts feel or look better than anyone else.
However, there are also some lifestyle factors which need to be addressed including a poor diet, being overweight or obese, lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and taking supplements that contain hormones.
Furthermore, having a history of breast or other cancers among close relatives or within the family may enhance one's chances of developing the disease.
Given that Oct is breast cancer awareness month, Signature Market is spreading its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) campaign known as "Be A Uniquecorn: Embrace Your Uniqueness, Be Your Own Unicorn" to the local community in support of this month.
It is collaborating with the Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia (BCWA) and leading lifestyle brands.
Realising the importance of having the right support and the need to emerge stronger, the campaign is aimed at empowering women to accept differences in shapes and sizes that make each and every one unique and beautiful in their own way. Hence, all women deserve to be a "uniquecorn".
"The campaign is designed to enforce the message that it is important for every woman irrespective of the challenges she goes through, to acknowledge her condition and embrace herself in all her uniqueness, knowing that she is not alone," says Signature Market founder and chief executive officer, Edwin Wang.
As part of the "Be A Uniquecorn" campaign, Signature Market is introducing a special edition, "Be A Uniquecorn" gift box priced at only RM35 that will be available until the end of Oct.
Part of the proceeds from the sale will be channeled to BCWA.
For more information on activities held throughout the month, visit Signature Market's official Instagram, @signaturemarket.
