This is the 10th year of EMPOWERED’s CCASTP since the project was launched in 2010. To make it a success, EMPOWERED’s team has approached and met with both governmental and private bodies for collaborations, educational training, internal discussions and project monitoring prior to events.

Date: 22nd Feb 2019 (Friday)
Time: 9.00am to 11.30am
Venue: Jabatan Kesihatan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur & Putrajaya

This year, we have stronger and further collaboration with KL & Putrajaya State Health Department (JKWPKL&P), together to succeed the Colorectal Cancer Screening Workshop 2019. The meeting was conducted to establish the issues faced with regards to colorectal cancer advocacy in Malaysia and the proposal of collaborating for screening workshop to lighten the issues. It was a great discussion and with mutual agreement, we propose to run the Colorectal Cancer Awareness & Screening Workshop 2019 in Klinik Kesihatan Sentul, which governs under JKWPKL&P.

Date: 25th February 2019 (Monday)
Time: 10.30am to 12.00am

Through the introduction of JKWPKL&P, we had our 1st meeting with the specific person in charged, specifically the colorectal team in Klinik Kesihatan Sentul (KKS). Discussion on the floor plan, logistics, screening process flow, manpower assists and other details were addressed in the meeting.

Date: 18th March 2019 (Monday)
Time: 2.30pm to 4.00pm

Further discussions and meetings were carried out at Klinik Kesihatan Sentul on 18th March 2019.

Date: 21st March 2019 (Thursday)
Time: 8.00am to 1.00pm
Venue: Klinik Kesihatan Jinjang, Kepong

In responding to the health needs of low-income communities, EMPOWERED embarked on an Awareness Campaign at Klinik Kesihatan Jinjang on 21st March 2019 (Thursday) on the invitation by NCD Pejabat Kesihatan Daerah Kepong. The aim of this campaign was to provide cancer awareness to the community around the Kepong area in line with the mission of the Malaysian Ministry of Health to provide a high quality health system. The event opening ceremony was held in the Seminar Room at Klinik Kesihatan Jinjang on 21st March 2019 and was officiated by YB Tuan P.Prabakaran, Member of Parliament Batu Constituency.

In this tailored workshop, EMPOWERED set-up an exhibition booth to raise public awareness by bringing the latest scientific information that cancer can be curable when detected early and by equipping them with the necessary support they need to make important changes in their lifestyles. Public were taken through this educational program which started off with YB Tuan P. Prabakaran and Dr. Fuad of PKD Kepong journeying through the educational booths on Colorectal and Lung Cancers. Apart from that fun and interactive activities such as “Where Did Your Food Go?” puzzle were also incorporated into this half-day program.

Date : 13th and 29th March 2019 (Wednesday & Friday)
Time : 6.30pm to 9.00pm (Wednesday); 7.00pm to 9.00pm (Friday)
Venue : EMPOWERED’s Office

Selected volunteers were trained as Registrar/FIT-Kit Instructor/Usher to conduct interview, FIT-Kit tutorial, and to facilitate on the process flow of the awareness and screening days in order to ensure the program can be run smoothly. Interview questions, tutorials and role-play were taught comprehensively to ensure the volunteers were well-equipped with necessary information and knowledge prior to the event.

A total of 16 student volunteers from MAHSA University were selected to assist in the screening workshop. Each volunteer was assigned to a specific role based on their voluntary and capability. The students were briefed through the screening workshop floor plan, process flow, and screening criteria, then they were assigned into smaller groups according to their roles for detailed training. Different training materials have been prepared for each role including specific handout and model, and respective EMPOWERED’s staff have also been assigned to lead the group for detailed training and role-play. Role-play sessions were practised in three languages as well as dialect to meet the different language aspects of the community.

Date : 1st to 4th April 2019 (Monday to Thursday)
Time : 8.00am to 1.00pm
Venue : Klinik Kesihatan Sentul
Target : to get at least 200 participants screened

The area for the screening was prepared as early 7.00am with the help of volunteers and Klinik Kesihatan Sentul’s team. All volunteers and staff on duty were assigned into their specific roles to ensure screening workshop goes smoothly.

Apart from that, another concern of EMPOWERED staff and volunteers was to educate the public on colorectal cancer knowledge and encourage those who are eligible to participate in the workshop. Informational flyers and brochures are distributed out to further raise the public on colorectal cancer awareness too. Furthermore, there are 2 additional set up areas, one at the entrance and the other one at the exit of the Klinik Kesihatan Sentul, for the purposes of informing and assisting any enquiry of the workshop.

The participation from the public is overwhelming. It exceeds our expectation of 200 participants, as in total of recorded was 238 participants. 231 out of 238 registered subjects are eligible for FOBT (Faecal Occult Blood Test) test. We aim to advocate the mass public about early detection and preventing colorectal cancer.

Date : 2nd April to 8th April 2019 (Tuesday to Monday)
Time : 8.00am to 4.00pm
Venue : Klinik Kesihatan Sentul

FIT-Kits collection and screening were carried out simultaneously. Participants were given 2 – 3 days to collect stool samples and return the used FIT-Kit to EMPOWERED’s collection counter at Klinik Kesihatan Sentul on the given dates. Patients who returned their FIT-kit will stand a chance for a lucky draw as reward and to increase the returned rate.

Collection counter operated until evening to allow more time for the participants to return the kit. Besides, EMPOWERED’s staff will call up the participant if they did not show up to return of FIT-Kit to further ensure the compliance rate.

At the end of each collection day, EMPOWERED’s staff send the samples (FIT-Kits) to Klinik Kesihatan Sentul laboratory for immediate processing. Results of the test were given back to EMPOWERED on the day of processing or the day after.

Date : 10th and 12th April 2019 (Wednesday and Friday)
Time : 2.00pm (Wednesday), 8.00am (Friday)
Venue : Klinik Kesihatan Sentul

Dates of breaking bad news was set on 10th and 12th April 2019, executed by EMPOWERED’s team and Medical Officer Dr. Harineswari from Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Lumpur .

After compilation of all the positive results and synchronised name list with medical officer in-charge, EMPOWERED’s staff called up the (positive results) participants to inform date and time for receiving report at Klinik Kesihatan Sentul. However, there are 3 participants that are unable to reach by EMPOWERED’s staff. The participants are divided into 2 groups, Wednesday and Friday to ensure the process go smoothly.

After receiving news from the medical officer, patient will get hospital visit appointment date from EMPOWERED’s staff. The patients have the option of Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hospital Ampang for the hospital visit appointment. Hospital visit dates are given accordingly. There are 19 and 25 participants who will go to Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hospital Ampang respectively.

The important task for this appointment is to comfort any subject who may be traumatized with the news and answer any questions that they may have regarding the hospital visit and Patient Support Program.

EMPOWERED’s staff were trying their very best to convince these subjects to make themselves available for the first hospital visits on the date given. There were in total 48 subjects who were tested positive (found blood in stool) and only 44 subjects were successfully referred to hospital for further check-up.

Release of negative results for other participants was done starting 26th April 2019 onwards.

Date : 16th April 2019 to December 2019
Venue : Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hospital Ampang

This is essentially a support program for our beneficiaries. EMPOWERED recognize that beneficiaries, who need to undergo treatment, require emotional and moral support throughout their medical journey.

In this Patient Support Program, we make arrangements for the patients to be picked up from their home for the hospital appointments if necessary and ensure that they receive much needed companionship and psychological support from our trained volunteers.

With JKWPKL&P great support, EMPOWERED able to liaise and arrange appointments efficiently with hospitals for patients with blood in stool. We are in collaboration with Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hospital Ampang for following hospital visits.

Patient Support Program:

• Personalized support will be provided throughout their medical journey from diagnosis to end of cancer treatment by our trained staff and volunteers
• EMPOWERED to remind the residents on every hospital visits 2 days prior to their appointments via call and message.
• This elaborated support system was created to provide complete emotional and moral support so as to ensure that our beneficiaries will follow through to their entire medical journey.

Hospital Visits

• Register at respective hospital
• Doctor’s consultation and receive bowel preparation tutorial and medication, and colonoscopy appointment date
• Colonoscopy
• Follow up on colonoscopy results/findings
• Other procedures/follow up (conditionally)