TAWAU: Preventing cancer by early detection and immediate treatment is an important message that needs to be spread as it is the main key in fighting cancer.
Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Hjh Jainab Datuk Seri Panglima Hj Ahmad Ayid said this is so that cancer can be prevented, detected early and successfully and effectively treated.
“However, it will not be effective with only awareness and knowledge if it is not practised as the saying ‘only action is reality’,” she said when opening the Breast Cancer Awareness program organized by the Persatuan Wanita Kastam Sabah (PEWAKAS) yesterday at Wisma Kastam Tawau.
She said cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world and the World Health Organization (WHO) stated cancer contributed more than seven million deaths or 13 per cent of all deaths in 2008.
“Death caused by cancer is expected to increase to 13.13 per cent in 2030 if there is no intervention carried out. In Malaysia, in 2012, cancer was the fourth leading cause of death which covers 13.63 per cent from all deaths at government and private hospitals all over the country,” she said.
Jainab said according to 2007-2011 analysis, the National Cancer Registration reported that breast cancer incidents in Malaysia are increasing with the increase of age.
“Prevention is better than cure. This is true for cancer. Currently, we see the treatment cost is very expensive compared to other chronic diseases. About 30 per cent of cancer deaths could be prevented where it is connected to five behavior and practice risks which are overweight, less intake of fruits and vegetables, less physical activity, smoking and alcohol. These five behaviors are the main risk to chronic diseases such as cancer, including breast cancer,” she said.
She said the main challenge faced is to change the community daily behavior or practice to that which is healthier.
Jainab said tests to detect the presence of cancer at an early stage is one of the important steps and helps to increase the chances of cancer being treated better and fully cured.
“The increase of death rates among breast cancer patients is caused by failure to get treatment at an early stage. Among the contributing factor is the low level of awareness on the importance of carrying out tests and early detection,” she said.
Also present at the function were Sabah customs director Datuk Dr Hj Janathan Kandok, Sabah PEWAKAS chairwoman Datin Norsiah S. M Kumar, Tawau customs head Yunos Hj Tahir, PUSPANITA chairwoman Datin Arifah Abd Jabbar, PEWAKAS Tawau chairwoman and the program organizer, Jamilah Abdullah, and Tawau Hospital surgery specialist Dr Zailani Mohd.