Early detection of colorectal cancer greatly improves the chances of cure as treatment options depend on cancer stage, tumour location, and patient health.
Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii urges the government to increase accessibility and affordability of cancer treatment, including subsidies, and cancer facilities and financial assistance to cover long travel to the hospital in rural areas like Sarawak.
Sarawak state government proposes bearing the RM800m cost of construction for a cancer hospital, while the federal government provides specialists and equipment. The health minister indicates a Sarawak cancer hospital will not be allocated in Budget 2023.
The Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching (SCAN) again reiterates the need for a specialist cancer hospital in Sarawak to address bed shortages, inadequate chemotherapy facilities, reduced OT capacity, and to upgrade radiotherapy facilities.
Up to a third of lung cancer patients that cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Anand Sachithanandan sees are non-smokers or have never smoked. Clinical oncologist Dr Tho Lye Mun says half of his patients are non or very light smokers; most of them are women.