Education

BCWA promotes public education on general health and breast health issues, including early detection of breast cancer, and conducting Clinical Breast Examination. Women aged 40 and above are encouraged to do breast self-examination and/or clinical breast examination as a routine to avoid a late diagnosis of breast cancer.

BCWA conducts regular health literacy talks, forums, and educational and rehabilitation sessions by experts to promote knowledge sharing and help improve the quality of life for individuals affected by breast cancer. Concurrently, breast cancer survivors from BCWA conduct public awareness on how to live life fully through the programme Life After Breast Cancer.

MINIMISE suffering, save lives and maintain quality of life for patients and survivors through downstaging breast cancer diagnosis and early treatment intervention. NAVIGATE women through the health system for early detection and timely medical treatment of breast cancer. OFFER counselling for women and loved ones who face distress related to breast examination and diagnosis.

Psychosocial

BCWA understands the mental health impact that breast cancer has on an individual from the early stages of diagnosis, through treatment and recovery. To help women with breast cancer navigate through this difficult phase, BCWA conducts dedicated sessions to provide psychosocial or emotional and social support manned by trained breast cancer survivors.

Individual sessions are conducted on a face-to-face basis at hospitals, the BCWA Centre or via telephone and electronically. Group sessions are also conducted to include individuals with breast cancer and their family members to create mutual support and promote sharing of information.

Therapeutic, recreational and social activities are another form of group psychosocial support provided to help individuals recover from the trauma of breast cancer and to lead healthy and active lifestyles. Patients get practical information on managing themselves after diagnosis, during treatment and after treatment is completed.

Recovery

Surviving breast cancer requires determination and the fight continues after treatment. BCWA continues to help women with breast cancer to navigate through the days after treatment to ensure that they are on the right track to recovery.

Therapy session are useful for discussing signs and symptoms of cancer recurrence or treatment complications. These are also conducted to help the recovery process post treatment, and may include physiotherapy for swelling and stiffness post-surgery.