Chew Sue Anne, 21 years old (2^nd Prize Winner)

As a responsible citizen, I felt it right to share my thoughts and views on breast cancer and, this led to my participation in the contest. This contest has nevertheless encouraged and challenged my creativity as well as my conceptual thinking.

Ages ago, scientists and doctors failed to find cure for breast cancer. Eventually, the mammogram and clinical breast checkup are the best for prevention (i.e. by early detection) so far. In this fast pace modern era, many Malaysians are still not aware of the consequences of this chronic disease which can cause endless suffering and pain. By having a regular mammogram and a clinical breast exaination by health professionals can help women to understand themselves better, especially the changes in their breasts. In addition, treatment for breast cancer, as well as survival rates, are improving. Early detection and medical help is critical to increase the chances of living beyond a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Judges’ Note: The ticking time bomb was metaphorically a very clever. The design could mean a pair of any of the paired organs in a human body. If not treated, the “time bomb” would be ticking within your body. Breaking the silence would then give one some time.

Ong Chui Yim, 68 years old (3^rd Prize Winner)

I am a retired school teacher. I think Radiology Malaysia, through its many events and informative website, plays a significant role in spreading awareness about cancer/breast cancer and that early detection can save lives. I am just glad to be able to contribute to that cause by participating in this contest.

Chaw Eng Huei, 20 years old (1^st Prize Winner)

Cancer patients have to communicate with their family and friends. We have to accept the truth, and think how to fight a serious illness. We have to draw close together with our family.

I am happy I joined this competition. I hope my poster design will have an effect on the public and change their mindset. By this effort, I also hope to have contributed to society. The objective of my poster is to advise all people not to be silent when they got sick (have cancer).

Judges’ Note: This creative was intelligent and served to reinforce the notion that the biggest barrier to wellness was silence. In the process, it also served to remind one of all the various factors that one should avoid to stay healthy!

Sow Sian Lin, 20 years old (3^rd Prize Winner)

I am proud to have taken part in this competition. This competition is significant because its purpose is to remind everyone not to hesitate seeking help and assistance from the doctor. Most importantly we are encouraged to face the problem of health bravely and positively.

In addition, I hope the poster could alert the society that we are supposed to go for medical checkups especially the ladies to detect breast cancer early. I also believe that we have the duty to conserve the environment because this is important for our health.

Elson Teo Yong Lin, 23 years old (Grand Prize Winner)

“BREAKING THE SILENCE SAVES LIVES” for me is to put away women’s fear of being diagnosed with breast cancer and taking steps to recover without their pride getting in the way. Certain groups of women who have breast cancer choose not to face the truth and even try to ignore it.

They may feel embarrassed but at the same time fear losing their feminine “assets”. In my poster, I used apples to symbolize a woman’s breasts. It is indirect but the meaning behind the poster is to make them aware and feel comfortable in their own shoes. The small apple on the left symbolizes the size of a woman’s breast after treatment, smaller due to cutting out the tumor (after the operation).

On the other hand, bigger and more appealing apple on right may look good on the outside, but it’s actually ‘ill’. Just as what my sub heading said, “It may look good on the outside, but do you feel comfortable inside?” While the smaller apple may look less appealing but it promises health and reduces chances of getting to the critical stages of the disease that may take a life.

Women who are unfortunately forced to lose their “assets” should be proud of who they are for the fact that they have taken big steps to put aside their pride and choose to live their life healthy and meaningfully. Be responsible for your own health.

Judges’ Note: The judges felt the creation was simple, direct, intelligent with clever use of metaphor. It was a visual manifestation of what having cancer may be like. The only comment was that, it did not need to only represent breast cancer but any cancer for that matter – that might lie within the body undetected because the outside was still whole, intact and normal.

Lau Suit Wan, 45 years old  (Special Prize Winner)

I am so happy to be selected as one of the winners of the Radiology Malaysia - Kidz Magazine Challenge 2007: 'What Cancer means to me'. The collage summarised some of the knowledge and personal experience that I have gained as a breast cancer survivor for the past seven years.

I had a difficult time accepting the diagnosis and almost gave up my chemotherapy treatment. With the support and encouragement from my family, close friends, fellow survivors and doctors, I got through the treatments. Now, I am thankful to God for each new day, and try to live life to the fullest.

I joined support groups, such as Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA) and Pride Foundation. Through BCWA, I have attended Reach To Recovery workshops and Breast Self Examination(BSE) training conducted by Radiology Malaysia. After the training, I
volunteered for duty in the BCWA breast cancer awareness road shows during the Pink October month. I strongly believe in educating the public about breast self examination (BSE) and medical screening because breast cancer is curable when diagnosed and treated early.

I also feel that there is a need to reach out to people in the rural areas because generally they have less information about breast cancer and have limited access to medical facilities for screening such as the mammogram and ultrasound scan.

Judges note: They felt the collage managed to convey Suit Wan’s journey through cancer from diagnosis, treatment and now living life to the fullest.

3^rd Special Prize went to the Adrian, Carmen, Alson and Andrew Leong & parents – The Family Affair

Comments from Thomas Leong (father): My youngest son Andrew is a member of Kidz Magazine. We read about the Radiology Malaysia-Kidz Magazine Challenge 2007. As parents, we want to help our children to understand and know more about cancer and simultaneously, learn more about cancer ourselves. Together with our children, we surfed Radiology Malaysia website. Then, we had a discussion about what cancer is, how we would face cancer in a family if anyone should get cancer. It took us almost 3 weeks to get the tagline/slogan for our creative/collage artwork!! To entice our children to participate in this contest, we showed them the prizes that could be won.

Low Mei Yan, 23 years old (Special Prize Winner)

In my creation, I used the balloon as a symbol of a woman’s breast. The meaning behind is expressed through the typography itself. The slogan “Breaking the silence saves lives” to me is to encourage women who are diagnosed with breast cancer from keeping quiet, instead making moves to overcome it. I minimized the font size of “silence” to give a strong impact on my whole idea.