Colorectal cancer has been identified as the third most common cancer deaths in Malaysia. EMPOWERED initiated a health and cancer awareness project, targeting the lower income and lesser-informed community in Sentul. The aim of this project was to trigger public awareness about colorectal cancer and to implement a screening programme for colorectal cancer, using a faecal immunohistochemical test (FIT).

The project was implemented in collaboration with several medical and welfare organisations and community leaders of Sentul. Organisational brainstorming meetings took place to map the areas of publicity, workshop strategy,laboratory screening, volunteers’ pool and post campaign support.

This project received full approval from the Medical Research Ethics Committee, Ministry of Health on 19th March 2010

Two half-day training workshops were organized for over 200 volunteers at Sunway Convention Center and HGH Convention Center" over March and April 2010

The organising committee met several times with the Sentul Community Leaders to gather their views and input on the progress of the project. These community leaders played an integral role in the successful rollout of the campaign

The project was launched on 2nd April 2010 by the Director General of National Population and Family Development Board, Dato' Aminah Abdul Rahman, on behalf of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development

In April, registration of Sentul residents who volunteered to take part in the screening project was carried out on four Saturday afternoons.

The registrants were invited to a workshop on 9 May 2010 at HGH Convention Centre in Sentul. The workshop was officiated by Datin Paduka Khatijah Suleiman of MAKPEM. Topics included healthy living lifestyle,the benefits of consuming healthy foods and regular exercise. The FIT kits were distributed at the end of the workshop and the registered subjects were taught on how to use the kits.

Counselling was given for those tested positive for blood in their stool and assistance was provided to enable colonoscopy and further treatment to be carried out.