Early detection of colon cancer vital for treatment
SANDAKAN: Early detection of colon or colorectal cancer is important for the treatment of patients and in managing their health.
State health director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi said this cancer had afflicted almost 80 per cent of males aged 50 and above in the country.
She said it was a major cancer among men and the second most common among women after breast cancer.
In terms of treatment costs, it would cost RM12,000 to treat the first stage of colon cancer and RM30,000 at the fourth stage, Dr Rundi said when officiating at the Colon Cancer Awareness Campaign organised by the Duchess of Kent Hospital’s General Surgery Department and Surgical Society of Sandakan, Surgery Association here, yesterday.
Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumour in the big intestine and it can occur at the intestine wall cells or at the rectum.
The cancer occurs in stages before spreading to other parts of the body.
Dr Rundi said new colorectal cancer cases in Malaysia occurred at the rate of 4,500 per year.
She said the cancer could be treated if detected early but due to the lack of awareness, only 10 percent were detected early in Malaysia.
The director praised the Duchess of Kent Hospital for disseminating information on colorectal cancer not only here but also the nearby district.
Through its Surgical Department, the hospital started its noble work by bringing specialists and a medical team to the less fortunate patients from remote areas.
The hospital began its first pilot colorectal cancer awareness program in 2013 with the collaboration of Telupid Health Clinic whereby some 60 patients from Telupid and nearby rural areas attended the program.
It has been a paradigm leap towards providing modern and optimum treatment for rural patients without requiring them to go to the general hospital, and will reduce their transportation and medical costs.
Since it was first held, the hospital’s Surgical Department team has continued its noble work not only in Telupid but also in Beluran, Kinabatangan and Tongod by conducting the program two or three times a year.
Dr Rundi said the hospital had moved forward in providing better health services to the public.
She praised the medical team led by the head of Surgical Department, Dr Lai Chung Ket who has been continuously holding medical camps and awareness programs.