Malaysia - Cancer accounts for one in 12 deaths of Malaysians

Kuala Lumpur (The Star/ANN) - Cancer accounts for one in 12 deaths, making it the number two killer in Malaysia after heart disease.

Malaysian health minister Liow Tiong Lai said that total deaths caused by cancer had spiralled to 11.8 per cent last year from only 7.3 per cent in 1975.

"We must take immediate measures to increase public awareness about the disease," he said.

According to the National Cancer Registry, breast cancer accounts for the highest number of cancer cases in the country with 18.1 per cent, followed by colon cancer (12.3 per cent), lung cancer (10.2 per cent), tumour (5.2 per cent) and cervical cancer (4.6 per cent).

"Malaysians must know that one third of cancers could be prevented, one third can be detected at the early stage while one third of sufferers could be given a better quality of life," Liow added.

He also announced that construction of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is proceeding ahead of schedule as 23 per cent of the project has been completed.

"The institute, valued at 690 million ringgit (US$219 million) and built in front of Putrajaya Hospital, is expected to be completed by August 31 next year.

"It will provide specialised treatment to patients and create a platform to carry out research and development on the disease," he said during a joint-press conference with the Works Ministry after the concrete structural completion ceremony yesterday.

The institute, located at Precinct 7, can accommodate 252 beds and will be equipped with its own nuclear medicine therapy and radiation treatment facilities.

Meanwhile, works minister Shahziman Mansor said the NCI was also equipped with a Building Information Modelling (BIM) system that automatically detects any problems.

"This is a pilot project and the system is commonly used in many developed countries.

"We are also planning to adopt it in other government buildings," he said.

He also noted that two new hospitals will be built in Rembau, Negri Sembilan and Sri Aman, Sarawak and both projects were expected to be tendered by the first half of next year.

News Desk in Kuala Lumpur/The Star | ANN

Business & Investment Opportunities

YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.