SANDAKAN, 11 Sept 2017:
Early detection of colon or colorectal cancer is important for the treatment of patients and in managing their health.
Sabah state health director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi said this cancer had afflicted almost 80% 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% were detected early in Malaysia.
– Bernama