Kuala Lumpur, 15 October 2021 — During the launch of the “Improving Access To Cancer Treatment And Care” Virtual Conference and of the White Paper “Cancer Care: Challenges, Gaps And Opportunities In Malaysia”, Health Minister YB Khairy Jamaluddin highlighted the importance of identifying and adopting reforms in cancer care to address gaps and respond to challenges faced in preventing and treating cancer in Malaysia.

Delivering the keynote address at the conference, held in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, YB Khairy spoke of the heightened vulnerability of cancer patients due to COVID-19, and increased burden of disease due to years of rising cancer cases which were diagnosed late.

Referring to the findings from the Ministry of Health’s Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report 2012–2016 released last year, he highlighted that almost 70% of all cancer cases were diagnosed late at Stages 3 and 4, resulting in fewer options for treatment and poorer survival rates.

Approximately 49,000 people in Malaysia were estimated to be newly diagnosed with cancer in 2020, and this is expected to rise to more than 66,000 new cases annually by 2030.

YB Khairy also spoke of some of the issues contributing to delays in both diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients. “Patients are still resorting to traditional or supposed alternative treatments upon learning of their diagnosis rather than immediately going for allopathic medicine. This has resulted in significant treatment delays. In some cases, it allows disease progression to a later stage, where there are fewer options.”

“Effective investments and interventions in cancer prevention, timely diagnosis, advances in therapies and care delivery models which have reduced the number of cancer deaths, improved survivorship, and quality of life for those living with the disease, need serious consideration.”

“We need to look at health budgets as investments, rather than expenditures. People who are healthier and able to survive cancer, can carry on working to help rebuild their lives, the economy, and the country. Ignoring cancer care now may turn one public health crisis into many others,” he said.

YB Khairy spoke of the massive disruptions and harm to Malaysia’s healthcare system caused by COVID-19, but also emphasised that it gave an opportunity to examine and consider existing, gaps, weaknesses, and strengths of the country’s health infrastructure.

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