A call for action

DEMYSTIFYING cancer and having people recognise its impact on our society and economy is the goal of every awareness campaign.

Changes to diet and physical habits in the average person could be contributing to the rising number of cancer cases in the country, and we need a better way to handle it.

Dr Saunthari Somasundaram, president and medical director of National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM), speaks about the state of cancer care and management in the country.

“The foremost problem in Malaysia is that we as a country are more reactive towards cancer when we should be practising preventative measures,” she says.

Patients with the five most common cancers in the country – breast, colorectal, cervical, lung and nasopharyngeal – are part of a trend of late detection with a majority already in stages 3 and 4 of the disease upon diagnosis.

According to Dr Saunthari, 40% of breast cancer cases, 65% of colorectal cancer cases, 60% of cervical cancer cases, 90% of lung cancer cases and 60% of nasopharyngeal cases are presented late, which decreases the patients’ survival rate.

“We need to realise that healthcare shouldn’t be just about tackling existing problems and that we shouldn’t seek healthcare only when we’re sick.

“Screening is important. If we put preventative healthcare into practice, the doctor, apart from treating your illness, should also be looking at your family history, ask if you’re due for your annual check-up, or investigate if your symptoms are part of a larger problem.

“For this reason, we organised the primary healthcare cancer forum on World Cancer Day to shift the mindset of general practitioners and nurses, who are often frontliners in healthcare,” shares Dr Saunthari.

Another pressing issue is how most cancer survivors are not aware of their rights and do not have legal or human resource support when it comes to returning to work or school, according to NCSM.

“This is going to be a growing problem because as treatment advances and if early detection improves, most people will survive cancer, which is good news. The corporate world should stop thinking of cancer as a terminal illness.

“Instead, providing back-to-work support should be prioritised. A good support programme in a workplace would provide cancer survivors sufficient flexibility for post-treatment activities such as oncologist appointments,” adds Dr Saunthari.

Resource allocations to invest in social workers are something NCSM sees merit in, to contribute to the well-being of cancer patients. As Dr Saunthari puts it, “It is a small price that will bring about a huge difference to patients.”

To support cancer patients and caregivers nationwide, NCSM has developed several modes of contact for people seeking help such as its toll-free cancer helpline (1800 881 000), e-mail (help@cancer.org.my) and a mobile app (Stronger than Cancer).

Making a difference

For the first time on home turf, NCSM will be hosting the World Cancer Congress in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from Oct 1 to 4 this year.

Dr Saunthari shares that it would be an excellent opportunity to assist the Government to achieve its cancer control targets, as local and regional cancer management stakeholders can benefit from the knowledge-sharing of oncology experts from countries with more developed cancer care initiatives who will be in attendance.

NCSM hopes to show these stakeholders, including the Government, that despite cancer being a huge problem and having large-scale challenges, it can be overcome.

At the congress, countries often show how their struggles have resulted in huge successes against cancer. It could encourage Malaysian stakeholders to adopt the courage and fortitude to invest in cancer control. For more information, call 03-2698 7300 or visit www.cancer.org.my