Create Memories With Mum Getaway

Being admitted into a hospital is never a pleasant experience, that I can tell you. Take it from me, someone who has been admitted to the hospital 3 times this year alone. The painful stitches, the terrifying blood, the bitter meds, the limited movement, the uncomfortable beds. I am telling you, I've had about enough! No more hospitals for me, please!

That is why when I heard there was a program on MMA HPV Vaccination Programme for Teens, I was not hesitant to sign myself up for it! The one day workshop is organized and supported by Her World Magazine while the MMA (Malaysia Medical Association) HPV Vaccination Programme for Teens is supported by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharmaceuticals. It is aimed to educate both mothers and daughters on the risk of cervical cancer and how it can be prevented. Well, anything that can help educate myself and prevent my future daughters from getting admitted, I’m all up for it!

I was looking forward to that very day because I could feel it was going to be a fun and informative one after going through the itinerary. However, unfortunately for me, when the day finally came, I was not able to make it! Lucky for me, I had friends to help me capture the pics and provide me with briefs about the event, so let's find out exactly what this event was all about!

On the day of the event, 30 mommy bloggers together with their daughters were brought back to nature as the program was held at a serene place at Aman Rimba, Janda Baik. Just look at this place! I think it couldn't be any more perfect for a mommy-daughter event such as this!

The event started with a welcoming speech by the event organizer and then followed by the first activity of the day -- the treasure hunt!

I can imagine how fun the treasure hunt was just looking at this photos! Once everybody has settled down, the program continued to focus on the main highlight of the day -- the talk on MMA HPV Vaccination Programme for Teens.

Did you know? Cervical cancer is the third most common cause of cancer deaths amongst women in Malaysia, after breast and colorectal cancers? It's truly worrying isn't it? Now let me tell you a little bit about this cancer and how we can avoid this from happening via early prevention.

Now, cervical cancer is a cancer that affects women of different ages and backgrounds across the world. It begins in the cervix – the part of the uterus (or womb) that opens to the vagina – and becomes gradually more invasive if left untreated. Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with an extremely common and contagious virus: the human papillomavirus (HPV).

There are over 100 identified types of HPV, most of which are harmless. There are 15 cancer-causing types which can lead to cervical cancer; some of the most common include HPV 16, 18, 45 and 31. Both younger and older women are at risk of cervical cancer due to new infection or re-infection by cancer-causing HPV.

Cancer-causing HPV types 16 and 18 together cause up to 70 per cent of all cervical cancers worldwide. A vaccine targeting HPV 16 and HPV 18 has therefore the potential to prevent up to 70 per cent of cervical cancers.

What is the MMA HPV Vaccination Programme for Teens about?

The MMA HPV Vaccination Programme for Teens is an initiative of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) and supported by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical (GSK). The programme was developed to complement the MOH’s HPV NIP for 13 year old girls to protect them against the most common strains of cancer-causing HPV that are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer[i]. The programme seeks to augment the MOH’s efforts by providing an avenue for girls who do not fall into the HPV NIP’s cohort to arm themselves against cervical cancer through affordable vaccination.

Why is such a programme needed?

Because cervical cancer is detectable at an early stage and preventable through vaccination, the MMA believes that all teenage girls should be protected against this disease and given equitable access to vaccination.

What is the rationale for this programme?

The MMA HPV Vaccination Programme for Teens aims to support the Government’s effort to protect women against cervical cancer which is the third most common cause of cancer deaths in Malaysia[ii]. The World Health Organization (WHO) also reported in 2007 that more than 700 Malaysian women die from cervical cancer every year.

How will this programme be implemented?

Under the MMA HPV Vaccination Programme for Teens, teenage girls between 14 to 19 years of age will receive two of the three doses of vaccination at an access price. To encourage dosing compliance and to ensure optimal efficacy, the third dose will be provided free of charge.

How much is the cost of vaccination under this programme?

Teenage girls who qualify for the MMA HPV Vaccination Programme for Teens will have to pay RM466 for two doses of vaccination, while the third dose will be provided free of charge. Payment will be made in two equal instalments of RM233 upon the administration of the first and second dose of the vaccine.

Who qualifies for this programme?

The MMA HPV Vaccination Programme for Teens is open to girls aged 14 to 19 years old, before their 20th birthday. Registration and administration of the first dose of vaccine will need to take place between 1st March and 31st December 2011.

How to enroll in the programme?

Parent/guardian will need to sign the Vaccine Registration Form to enroll the daughter in to the MMA HPV Vaccination Programme for Teens.


Where to sign up for this programme?

To date, more than 500 clinics have come on board the MMA HPV Vaccination Programme for Teens to lend a hand in the fight against cervical cancer and partnerships with further clinics are being negotiated. To obtain a list of participating clinics closest to where you live, please dial 1800 22 8688.

How long will it take for one to finish the whole programme?

It takes six months to finish the whole programme, as the vaccine will be administered in three doses. The first dose will be administered at the clinic on a set date, followed by the second dose a month later and the final dose six months later.

Where can one find out more information on the programme?

You can log on to the programme Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MMAHPVVaccinationProgrammeforTeens to obtain more information. A hotline number (1800 22 8688) has also been set up to facilitate questions revolving around cervical cancer and the MMA HPV Vaccination Programme for Teens where the public will be advised on these and other related topics by a qualified nurse.

And there you have it! All there is that you need to know about MMA HPV Vaccination Programme for Teens. Quite an insight, eh? :) After knowing this info, I can’t wait to educate my nieces and my (future) daughters about this myself!

After the talk, the bloggers were served with lunch. This was when the bloggers had the chance to get to know each other over a hearty meal.

Immediately after that, the ladies were taught techniques to a healthy, glowy skin exclusively by Origins. They even had the chance to try out these anti-aging products themselves!

That's not all! Once their skin is all moist and glowy, they were turned into chic, glamorous ladies thanks to the Victoria Jackson touch of makeup! Good stuff, I heard! :D Checkout the ladies trying out the products and looking all pretty!

All the makeover session was making the bloggers beautifully hungry again so just before the prize giving session, they were served with a little refreshment.

Then, the final agenda of the day – the prize giving ceremony for the treasure hunt winners! The proud winners walked away with hampers by Victoria Jackson on that day. How lucky of them!

And of course, what's an event without a group photo? :) Here's all of the bloggers with the daughters just before leaving the place.

It sure looked like a fun, informative day out for all the bloggers! I may not be there, but I am sure I speak for the rest of the bloggers how amazing the day was! Thanks Nuffnang, Her World and GSK for a productive day out such as this! I look forward to a next day out like this in the future!

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