KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 (Bernama) -- Women who qualify for the mammogram subsidy should make use of the facility for early detection of breast cancer, advised Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

She said those aged between 40 and 69 and with a household monthly income of less than RM5,000, qualified for the RM50 government subsidy for the mammogram.

"The rate is usually RM100 in the peninsula and RM100 in Sabah and Sarawak," she told reporters after the launching of the Mammogram Subsidy Progamme at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here today.

"Those who qualify should register with the National Population and Family Development Board (NPFDB) clinic before being sent to any of the 13 selected mammogram centres in the country.

The programme is organised by the NPFDB with the cooperation of the Health Ministry, Radiology College of Malaysia and non-governmental organisations.

"In many cases, women who go for a mammogram have already reached the third stage of breast cancer where it's too late to be treated," said Shahrizat.

She said those who really could not afford the mammogram and who registered with the Welfare Department would be fully sponsored by the government.

More than 4,000 people, mainly women, flocked to the KLCC today to celebrate Mother's Day where the NPFDB also got into the Malaysia Book of Records for the biggest participation in breast examination involving 2,380 women from 8am to 6pm, exceeding the target of 1,000.

-- BERNAMA