The latest data released by the National Cancer Registry (2017–2021) confirms that bronchogenic lung cancer remains the leading and most lethal cancer for both men and women in Malaysia.
As compared to 2012-2016, the current age standardized incidence rate (ASR) increased for both genders, from 13.2/100,000 men to 16/100,000 in men, and 5.9/100,000 to 7.4/100,000 in women, with the age group of 45 years to 50 years being most affected.
The most unnerving finding is the increase in cases of advance stage (3&4) diagnosis of up to 95.4% (men) and 94.3% (women).
Dr. Tho Lye Mun lamented that recent progress in awareness and early screening may have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021).
However, he remains optimistic that significant advances in diagnostic techniques, bespoke oral targeted therapies, and the effectiveness of systemic intravenous immunotherapy have greatly improved disease-free survival and overall survival rates for lung cancer.
Dr. Tho also shares that even patients with stage four lung cancer live longer productively and have good quality of life.
The current challenge, however, is the financial cost of these potent drugs, despite subsidies from pharmaceutical providers. The introduction of insurance co-payment could further compound issues of financial burden and affordability.
As the president of LCNM, Dr. Tho hopes that the Health White Paper will thoughtfully address these real-world concerns.
Article source: Health Matters
