SHAH ALAM: Some 88% of Malaysians aged 50 and above have never been screened for colorectal cancer, says the Health Ministry.
Expressing concern over the statistics, Health Ministry Medical Development Division director Datuk Dr Mohd Azman Yacob said that colorectal cancer was the second most common cancer among females, while males are also at risk.
According to the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, colorectal cancer is the most common cancer among males.
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“It’s better to know your status so you can take the necessary measures,” Dr Mohd Azman told reporters after attending the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Run here yesterday.
He was representing Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad at the event.
Dr Mohd Azman said early detection would see a survival rate of up to 90% for those diagnosed at Stage 1 and 2.
“Among the main factors (of the cancer) is lifestyle. At the same time, early detection is crucial.
“If you are detected in Stage 1 and 2, the five-year survival rate is much higher compared with those at Stage 3 and 4 as it may have already spread to other parts of the body,” he said.
He added that colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, had an 83.8% prevalence among those aged 50 and above, according to statistics from the National Cancer Registry between 2012 and 2016.
“They (patients) came at late stages as they were unaware of the symptoms,” he said.
Among the prominent symptoms are changes in bowel habits such as diarrhoea.
Dr Mohd Azman said there were about 3,000 new colorectal cancer cases annually.
He said it was more prevalent among the Chinese ethnic group, according to National Cancer Registry figures.
“This is based on data and not mere speculation,” he said.
Dr Mohd Azman urged the public to go for health screenings for early detection and prevention.
“Malaysians have the fear factor and are afraid of being informed about having certain diseases as many feel it’s the end of their lives.
“We need to change this perception,” he said, adding that screening was not only for conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
Malaysian Society of Colorectal Surgeons president Dr Luqman Mazlan said colorectal cancer was common, with surgeons seeing new cases almost every week.
He added that two-thirds of cases were already at an advanced stage.
“Identifying it at an early stage would be good for patients,” he said.
While screening is not mandatory in Malaysia, Dr Luqman urged all who reach 45 years old, even those asymptomatic, to get screened.
“The whole purpose of screening is to catch it before the symptoms present themselves. When the symptoms come, it may be too late.
“Go to your nearest healthcare facilities and get checked,” he said.
