CANCER cases have been on the rise in Malaysia.
In 2020 alone, Malaysia reported 48,639 new cancer cases, according to GLOBOCAN's Global Cancer Statistics, with projections indicating a doubling by 2040.
Avisena Specialist Hospital chief executive officer Dr Razman Abd Karim noted that breast, colorectal, lung, nasopharyngeal and liver cancers top the list.
"However, that is just the tip of the iceberg. There are over 100 types of cancer, each with its unique characteristics, treatment options and prognosis.
"Furthermore, the prevalence of different types of cancers varies from one region to another and is affected by factors such as lifestyle choices, genetic predispositions, exposure to carcinogens and access to healthcare services," added Dr Razman.
How well equipped is Malaysia to handle this surge of cancer cases?
The Malaysian Oncology Society noted an increase of more than 50 per cent in patients and the death rate due to cancer from 2012 to 2022.
According to Malaysia's 2023 Health Facts, cancer is a leading cause of death (26.44 per cent) in private hospitals and the fourth leading cause of death in government hospitals (9.29 per cent).
Dr Razman said that the high mortality rate could be linked to the fact that 64.1 per cent of patients diagnosed with cancer are at stage three and four, compared to only 20.6 per cent at stage two and 15.3 per cent at stage one.
"Data showed that 55.4 per cent of cancer patients in Malaysia are female, while 48.2 per cent are aged between 25 and 59 years old.
"Taking these into consideration, prevention, early detection and education are key," he said.
CANCER TREATMENT GAP
A study by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in 2020 ranked Malaysia third in the Asia Pacific for cancer preparedness, behind Australia and South Korea.
The study noted that Malaysia is also gaining an international reputation as the Cancer Care Centre of Excellence.
According to Dr Razman, Malaysia's affordable, high-quality care attracts international patients, making the country a healthcare travel destination. In fact, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) aims to generate RM2.4 billion in revenue from health tourism this year.
Despite that, Malaysia still faces challenges with limited infrastructure and services.
"Data from the National Specialist Register shows that while there are around 142 clinical oncologists, 15 medical oncologists and 31 gynae-oncologists, the country needs at least 300 oncologists to meet the demand of cancer cases," he said.
The data also showed that the country has 54 hospitals with cancer centres including the National Cancer Institute.
Perlis has one oncology clinic, but no cancer centres.
Meanwhile, Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan have one cancer centre each.
"Locally, the surge of cancer cases and lack of cancer care providers strain healthcare services, leading to longer wait times," added Dr Razman, who emphasised that investment in infrastructure and training is crucial to meet growing demands.
"In this regard, there is a need for more cancer facilities or oncology hubs in Malaysia to bridge the gap and ease the burden of cancer care.
"Furthermore, a multidisciplinary approach is important in oncology care, with cancer being a complex and multifaceted disease.
"A single cancer case may require expertise from various medical fields, including surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pathology and radiology. Healthcare providers that can provide a multidisciplinary approach can result in more accurate diagnosis, timely intervention and improved treatment decision-making," he said.
Lastly, from the perspective of the everyday Malaysian, Dr Razman said there needs to be greater awareness and education surrounding cancer.
This ranges from understanding risk factors of cancer to having consistent health checkups.
"While there is a long way to go, I believe that with the collaboration of every party, Malaysia is poised to tackle the growing issue of cancer," concluded Dr Razman.