Over the past decade, Malaysia has seen a significant increase in breast cancer cases.
According to the National Cancer Registry Report 2012-2016, roughly 34 women out of 100,000 developed breast cancer in 2012-2016.
Almost half (47.9%) were only diagnosed at the more advanced stages of the disease.
Currently, breast cancer remains the most common cancer affecting women and is responsible for the second highest number of cancer-related deaths in the country.
Most breast cancer-related deaths can be attributed to advanced breast cancer.
Also known as secondary or metastatic breast cancer, it is defined as the spread of breast cancer cells to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, bone, lungs, liver or brain.