KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — When Dr Amelia Siah was diagnosed with breast cancer at 35, about six years ago, the news came as a devastating blow as her daughter was just eight months old then.
She was still adjusting to life as a new mother and planning to start her own business. Dr Amelia’s mother had also suffered from the same disease.
“At the time, I was a mother and a wife. My daughter still needed me,” she said when met at Aglow Cup 2026 at Pop Padel, Bamboo Hills, here recently.
The aesthetic medicine practitioner underwent 16 cycles of chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumour and lymph nodes, followed by radiotherapy and nine months of oral chemotherapy.
Throughout approximately 18 months of treatment, she endured various physical and emotional challenges but remained determined to stay strong for her family before eventually overcoming the disease.
While battling the disease, Dr Amelia, who is the founder and chief executive officer of medical aesthetic clinic Aglow Clinic, went on to expand her business by opening a chain of 18 clinics.
The cancer experience changed the Melaka-born doctor’s perspective on women’s health, particularly the importance of understanding changes in one’s body and seeking early medical attention.
It also inspired her to raise awareness of breast cancer so that more women would understand the importance of taking charge of their health and not neglecting medical check-ups.
Drawing on her personal experience, she began using activities that bring women together as a platform to promote healthy lifestyles and raise awareness of breast health.
This initiative culminated in Aglow Cup 2026, an event combining padel sports, wellness activities and women’s health education, held in conjunction with Pink October, observed globally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Besides providing women with opportunities to engage in sports and build connections, the event also educated them on clinical breast examinations and breast self-examination techniques to help them recognise changes that warrant attention.
“I want this event to be a space where women can prioritise their health, build self-confidence and support one another,” she said.
The inaugural event offered total prizes worth RM50,000, while 100 percent of the proceeds from its charity drive were channelled to Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia to support breast cancer-related initiatives.
For Dr Amelia, her battle with cancer served as a reminder that health should never be neglected, even amid the demands of managing a family and pursuing one’s ambitions. — Bernama
