MALAYSIA must commit to its intention and ambitious goal of closing the gate to potential new tobacco smokers and increase resources to help narrow the treatment care gap as part of efforts to reduce lung cancer, said a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
The relevance and fierce sense of urgency of this year’s World Cancer Day theme – “Close the Care Gap” – is best demonstrated by the situation of lung cancer in Malaysia, said Galen Centre for Health and & Social Policy CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib.
“Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in this country, accounting for approximately 11% of all cases,” he said.
“The survival rates are the lowest and yet lung cancer does not have the same resources, support and public empathy as many other cancers.”
According to Azrul, due to the fact that most lung cancers patients are associated with smoking, lung cancer remains a highly-stigmatised diseases and the guilt and blame associated with lung cancer may prevent people from talking about their illness and even seeking treatment.
“No matter how a person gets lung cancer, it should not impact the care they get or the empathy they receive,” he noted.
“As a result of this stigma, people are screened, diagnosed and treated late, often at Stage 3 and 4.”
Azrul went on to emphasise the need to change the way society perceives lung cancer and ensure that patients with this disease – alongside their families – are able to be better supported and have access to the best care and treatment options possible.
“This includes immunotherapy and targeted therapies which increase the likelihood of survival, even for those with late-stage diseases,” he added.
“They must not be left behind – we need a moonshot when it comes to lung cancer.”
Azrul further noted that preventing lung cancer is obviously a priority, and banning individuals born after 2005 from smoking – which is expected to be among the provisions in the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill to be tabled in the upcoming parliamentary session – will go a long way towards preventing the disease.
“The ban as well as existing smoking cessation strategies such as nicotine replacement therapies, must be supported. Without a doubt, this policy will save lives.”
Lung cancer, which develops within the cells and tissues, lining the lung’s air passages, is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide.
Each year, more people die of lung cancer than colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. – Feb 4, 2022
