Cancer In Malaysia

The incidence of cancer is on the rise in Malaysia. It can strike anyone regardless of colour, creed or status.

Nearly 70,000 new cases were reported over a two-year period recently, with breast cancer the biggest threat.

The new cases were diagnosed among Malaysians in Peninsular Malaysia between 2003 and 2005, according to a report released in early 2008 on the incidence of the disease in West Malaysia.

The Cancer Incidence in Peninsular Malaysia 2003-2005 report, published by the National Cancer Registry (NCR), states that the total 67,792 new cases were diagnosed among 29,596 males (43.7 per cent) and 38,196 females (56.3 per cent). The annual crude rate for males was 100.2 per cent per 100,000 population, and 132.1 per cent per 100,000 for females.

The most frequent cancer during this period in Malaysians was breast cancer (18 per cent) followed by large bowel cancer (11.9 per cent) and lung cancer (7.4 per cent).

Despite a grim outlook, all hope is not lost. Between 30 and 50 per cent of cancer cases can be prevented if you practice a healthy lifestyle, undergo regular checks for early detection, and seek the right treatment when necessary.

Below are the four most common types of cancer.
Click on a diagram to learn more about each.