By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, Feb 4 — Cancer remains one of Malaysia’s silent killers. In 2021, a total of 48,639 new cancer cases were recorded and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has predicted that cancer incidence in Malaysia will double by 2040.
The situation is a grave concern because the rising number of cancer cases will become a major health issue, putting physical, emotional and financial strain not just on the sufferers but also their caregivers, families and the country’s healthcare system.
In Malaysia, the most common cancers are breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer and liver cancer. The leading causes of death for Malaysian women are breast and cervical cancer.
According to a study published in BMC Public Health, cancer prevalence in Malaysia is influenced by certain risk factors such as being overweight, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and smoking. However, cancer cases may be controlled if more people are aware of their unhealthy lifestyle and are willing to change for the better.
The cancer awareness campaign must be expanded to ensure that the general public has the right idea about the illness because many people still think that having cancer is equivalent to receiving the death penalty, even though the disease is treatable, especially at an early stage.
In conjunction with World Cancer Day which falls on February 4, Selangor Journal reached out to state executive councillor for public health Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud to hear more about the state government’s initiative to create more awareness about the disease.
Silent no more
Selangor has been actively organising cancer-related programmes for its people such as the Selangor Cancer (CanSEL) programme and the Selangor Saring programme.
Dr Siti Mariah said the state government has also partnered with academic institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to create more awareness, especially on the importance of early screening, health-seeking behaviour, and debunking the myth and stigma that revolve around cancer.
“At the moment, we also provide counselling services through Talian Sehat from the Mental Health programme to address psychosocial issues among people who have barriers to health-seeking behaviours.
“Apart from that, we also have a monthly forum called ‘Forum Tanya Apa Saja’ (Ask Us Anything) that takes place on social media where people can tune in to ask health experts any questions.
“For World Cancer Day this year, we already have programmes planned for the whole year. We will be talking more about the programmes on the forum themed ‘Close the Care Gap’ which will be held on Saturday (February 4),” she said.
Free screenings
To take things a step further, the state government has been offering free cancer screenings under its CanSEL and the Selangor Saring programmes.
“Selangor Saring is a screening programme that is inclusive of early screenings for various types of diseases including cancer while the CanSEL programme provides specific screening for cancer,” she said.
CanSEL, introduced in February 2022, provides access to tools for early detection of the disease, targeting Selangor citizens in 56 constituencies. The programme provides early screening test facilities including mammograms, and colorectal and prostate tests.
Meanwhile, for the Selangor Saring free health checks that was launched in May last year, Dr Siti Mariah said it focuses on screening for four types of cancers namely breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate.
“Last year, out of 45,000 participants, some 9,597 of them were screened for breast cancer, cervical cancer (12,091), colorectal cancer (2,550) and prostate cancer (1,877).
“Out of the total, some 2,490 cases have been referred for further treatment at hospitals and the cost was borne by the state government,” she added.
The state government has allocated RM3.1 million to organise Selangor Saring, which has received a very positive response. The programme offers screenings for blood and urine, eyes, breasts and the cervix, as well as offer colorectal and prostate tests.
In the 2023 Selangor Budget, the state government allocated RM1.5 million for the continuation of the programme while some RM1 million has been set aside for CanSEL.
Dr Siti Mariah said Selangor Saring will resume on Feb 18 in conjunction with the Jelajah Selangor Penyayang roadshow.
She said the second phase of the initiative will see several improvements, including the offering of dental and ear checks, as well as physiotherapy sessions.
“Apart from that, we will also collaborate with an NGO that is well-versed in handling cervical cancer patients. They will be involved in the screening process,” she said.
This article first appeared in the Selangor Journal monthly February edition, published on February 4, 2023.
