PH Embassy in Myanmar Promotes Breast Cancer Awareness

Left photo: Philippine Chargé d’Affaires, to Myanmar Jan Michael Gomez, welcomes the participants to the talk in commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Right photo: WHO Myanmar Representative, Dr. Hla Hla Aye, provides a brief overview on breast cancer in Myanmar. (Yangon PE photo)

YANGON 02 November 2021 – In celebration of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Philippine Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar in cooperation with Asian Breast Center and the special participation of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Myanmar organized a Talk entitled Stronger Together: Raising Awareness on Breast Cancer held at Gaia Ballroom, Zealax Hotel & Residence on 28 October 2021.

The event began with welcome remarks delivered by Philippine Chargé d'Affaires to Myanmar Jan Michael Gomez. The first speaker was WHO Myanmar Representative, Dr. Hla Hla Aye who gave an overview about the current breast cancer situation in Myanmar; while the second speaker who also conducted the webinar proper was President and CEO of Asian Breast Center, Dr. Norman San Agustin.

Filipino women in Myanmar lack awareness on breast cancer risk factors, symptoms, prevention, and treatment. They also do not have sufficient access to routine check-ups that can prevent or lead to early discovery and treatment of this curable disease.

For this reason, the Embassy partnered with Asian Breast Center (ABC) to raise awareness on this highly stigmatized disease. ABC President and CEO, Dr. Norman San Agustin, discussed breast cancer statistics worldwide, in the US and in the Philippines, and compared statistics between the Philippines and Myanmar. He also shared and debunked the myths surrounding breast cancer. He explained the various barriers to treatment and emphasized that breast cancer is highly treatable especially when detected early.

Dr. San Agustin obtained his medical education from the University of Sto. Tomas and received his surgical training from Yale Medical University, Columbian Presbyterian University and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He discussed breast cancer statistics and compared the situations in the Philippines, the US and in Myanmar. He also touched on barriers to treatment and extensively discussed treatment protocols.

The talk was followed by a short background presentation on Eden Ministry given by Ms. Ei Ei Han Htun, Sales and Marketing Representative who briefly discussed the work they do at Eden. Eden Ministry is a local NGO that rescues trafficked women and provides holistic care from offering shelter, professional counselling to vocational training and employment.

The event culminated with the turnover of the token of appreciation to Dr. Hla Hla Aye of WHO Myanmar. The event was attended by 28 women from different embassies and organizations, while the webinar was attended by 39 women from the Filipino Community including Embassy personnel. END

Dr. Norman San Agustin talks about breast cancer and the importance of regular check-ups and early diagnosis. (photo courtesy of Asian Breast Center)

Group photo with all the attendees of the webinar

For more information, visit https://www.yangonpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinMyanmar.