Impact of a Targeted Free Mammography Screening Program for Underprivileged Women in Malaysia

Abstract

Purpose Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among Malaysians today. Almost two thirds of patients are diagnosed in the late stages of disease, stage III to IV, with poorer outcomes. In addition, evidence has also revealed that most of patients who present in these late stages are those from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds. Women from underprivileged backgrounds have been found to have poorer health-seeking behavior, especially in terms of screening for cancer. This is for a number of reasons, such as affordability, distance to health centers, and other socioeconomic factors, which have a large impact, as Malaysia only offers opportunistic screening for breast cancer and not for free. A specific program to provide free mammography screening targeted toward underprivileged Malaysian women was planned and implemented with the aim of improving access to screening and increasing the rate of screening among this specific group of women. Methods Funding for the program was obtained from successful negotiation with a large Malaysian life insurance carrier. To ensure geographic equity, screening services were strategically purchased from 15 hospitals that were spread out across Malaysia. We also built partnerships with various nongovernmental organizations working in the social arena servicing underprivileged groups to reach these groups specifically. The nongovernmental organizations co-organized awareness programs and screening days, together with the National Cancer Society Malaysia, with additional incentivization that included subsidizing transport to mammography centers. Results A total of 5,000 underprivileged women from different geographic localities and ethnicities were screened across Malaysia. Of these, 62% received a mammogram for the first time in their lives, whereas 21% received their first repeat mammogram in more than 3 years. Conclusion A targeted screening program that incorporated a multipronged approach strategy was successful at increasing access to breast cancer screening for underprivileged Malaysian women. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The following represents disclosure information provided by authors of this manuscript. All relationships are considered compensated. Relationships are self-held unless noted. I = Immediate Family Member, Inst = My Institution. Relationships may not relate to the subject matter of this manuscript. For more information about ASCO's conflict of interest policy, please refer to www.asco.org/rwc or ascopubs.org/jco/site/ifc . Murallitharan Munisamy Employment: National Cancer Society of Malaysia Stock or Other Ownership: MMPKV Sdn Bhd–operator of Malaysian Primary Care Clinics