KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said the clinics would serve the rural areas, especially those in Sabah and Sarawak, and would help to increase awareness of breast cancer.

She said her ministry had also endorsed 50 clinics in the country run by the National Population and Family Development Board.

"These clinics provide a RM50 subsidy for mammograms. Women over 40 with a nett annual income of below RM5,000 are eligible for the subsidy."

"Yet not many are coming forward to do the test due to their fears."

Dr Ng said that her ministry could not afford to mobilise a clinic to every part of the country.

"Money is one thing. We also need the manpower and approval from the machines and facilities to carry out tests if the mobile clinics are set up."

She also advised women not to resort to complementary medicine without first consulting their doctors.

"Complementary medicine alone is not the answer. It is meant to complement," she said after flagging off the Avon Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer.

The campaign comprises specially designed programmes, which include various activities such as walks, runs, carnivals and concerts.

It has mobilised more than 600,000 people from over 50 countries and raised over US$52 million (RM171.7 million) since its launch in 2005.

Yesterday's walk, organised by Avon Cosmetics Malaysia, was held for the fourth time here with over 5,000 participants joining in a 3km charity walk around the Titiwangsa Lake Gardens.

Several celebrities, including Angkasawan Negara Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, singers Shafinaz Selamat and Rohana Jalil, and actress Nasha Aziz, also joined in the walk.

The charity walk raised RM50,000 for Avon's "Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer" programme.

A mock cheque was presented by Avon human resources director Azlan Ismail to Nasirah Aris, the adviser of Pride Foundation.

The donation will be used for the foundation's Prostheses Bra Fund.

The fund benefits breast cancer patients and survivors who have undergone mastectomy and radical lumpectomy by providing them with breast prostheses and special bras.