WORDS LIM TECK CHOON
February 4 was World Cancer Day. In conjunction with World Cancer Day 2024, the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine and the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) collaborated the Academy of Medicine Malaysia (AMM) organized a Liver Cancer Awareness Day event at Komune Living & Wellness, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH CALLS FOR REMOVAL OF GREATER AWARENESS OF CANCER AMONG MALAYSIANS
The event was officiated by YB Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, our Minister of Health, and witnessed by the residents of Bandar Tun Razak.
In his speech, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly congratulated the UKM Faculty of Medicine for organizing a community program that has the community closer to the university.
“Approximately 48,639 new cancer cases and 29,530 cancer deaths were reported in 2020 in Malaysia. And more worryingly, experts have predicted that the incidence of cancer in Malaysia will increase 2 times by 2040,” he shared.
He further stated: “There is no doubt that cancer is on the rise. I strongly believe that, as a community, we should learn what cancer is and most importantly to remove the taboo behind the word ‘cancer’.”
LIVER CANCER IS ONE OF THE TOP 5 MOST COMMON CANCERS IN MALAYSIA
“Currently, liver cancer is one of the 5 most common cancers in Malaysia; others are breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer,” Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly revealed. “Primary liver cancer, which starts from within the liver itself, unfortunately, has one of the worst prognoses because it is often diagnosed at a late stage when symptoms appear.”
Our Minister of Health also added that obesity is often associated with an increased risk of fatty liver disease known as metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), which is becoming the main cause of liver cancer.
However, liver cancer can be prevented either through hepatitis B immunization or early treatment of liver disease detected in patients with known hepatitis or cirrhosis.
LIVER CANCER DAY OFFERED EDUCATIONAL EVENTS & HEALTH SCREENING FOR ALL ATTENDANTS
The objective of the Liver Cancer Awareness Day event was to increase community awareness of liver cancer in addition to knowing more about liver cancer, its symptoms, risk factors, detection, and prevention.
A public forum on liver cancer was held during the event. This forum became a platform for liver cancer patients to share their experiences. Additionally, a group of panelists from the Ministry of Health Malaysia, University Hospitals, agencies and medical associations discussed the issue of public access to affordable cancer medicine in an effort to bridge the gap between the rich and the needy when it comes to cancer care.
In addition to public forums, the Liver Cancer Awareness Day event also provided attendants with screening services such as mammograms by Majlis Kanser Nasional (MAKNA), metabolic disease screening, hepatitis B and C screening, and fatty liver screening as well as consultation by experts, health fairs, quizzes, and lucky draws.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA) donated food packs to 90 residents of Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras. The participation of residents in this area was made via a community network between the UKM Faculty of Medicine and the residents of Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
AUSPICIOUS GUESTS ADDED IMPACT TO THE EVENT
In addition to the gracious presence of the esteemed Minister of Health, the Liver Cancer Awareness Day event was attended by: Professor Dato’ Dr. Hanafiah Harunarashid (Pro Vice Canselor Kuala Lumpur Campus UKM), Professor Dr. Abdul Halim Abdul Gafor (Dean of the Faculty of Medicine UKM), Professor Datin Dr Marina Mat Baki (Deputy Dean of Industry Community and Partnerships Affairs), Professor Dato’ Dr Razman Jarmin (Director of Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM), Professor Dato’ Dr Ismail Sagap (Director of Hospital Pakar Kanak-Kanak UKM), Professor Dr Rosmawati Mohamed from the Academy of Medicine Malaysia, as well as various hospital directors and heads of department.
This program was made possible by the efforts of the Dean of the UKM Faculty of Medicine, Professor Dr Abdul Halim Abdul Gafor, and members of the faculty’s top management.
