Nose cancer most prevalent among Chinese

Carcinoma (NPC) is a type of nose cancer that is most common, in Malaysia, among Chinese, followed by the Malay and Indian communities, said Ipoh Pantai Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant and Head and Neck surgeon Dr Rekha Balachandran.

She said there were also many cases among the Bidayuh community in Sarawak.

“Heredity, lifestyle and EpsteinBarr virus (EBV) infection are the factors that cause this cancer. Having a close family member with NPC increases the risk of the disease, and frequent consumption of preserved food, such as salted vegetables and dried fish, also contributes to it,” she said.

NPC is a cancer that starts in the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat behind the nose and near the base of skull.

On Saturday, the BA of Malaysia confirmed that national shuttler Lee Chong Wei was suffering from early stage nose cancer. The former World No 1 is currently in Taiwan for treatment.

According to Dr Rekha, the first symptom of NPC is often painless swelling or lump in the upper neck and one is advised to consult a doctor if the lump is there for more than three weeks.

“Secondly is nose bleeding. Sometimes when they blow the nose continuously, it will start to bleed. Nasal blockage or stuffiness and reduced hearing, especially on one side only, are also some of the symptoms,” she added.

However, she said NPC could be treated if detected at an early stage.

“The five-year survival rate is actually quite high. For the earliest stage of NPC, stage one and two, the survival rate is 80 to 85 per cent. I have seen some patients with NPC surviving more than five years... 10 and 20 years. It can be treated as long it is detected before the tumour spreads.”

However, Dr Rekha said NPC was difficult to be detected early.

Describing NPC as “the luck of the draw”, Dr Rekha said a healthy lifestyle would help lower the risk.

“Reducing or eliminating some types of food may lower the NPC risk. One needs to have a balanced diet by eating more fresh greens and fruits,” she added.