Malaysia Faces Silent Liver Cancer Crisis, 74 Pct Of Cases Detected At Advanced Stage
Yet, many cases go undetected until the disease is in its late stages.
Consultant General, Hepatobiliary Pancreatic and Liver Surgeon at Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) Dr Johann Faizal Khan shared that one of the biggest barriers to improving liver cancer outcomes is the lack of effective public screening programmes.
'While high-risk individuals such as those with liver cirrhosis (long-term liver damage that causes scarring and poor liver function) and chronic viral hepatitis are screened, patients who appear relatively healthy may not even realise they have either of these diseases,' he said in a statement today.
Dr Johann noted that this issue is not unique to Malaysia, but reflects a global trend, with healthcare institutions now dealing with the long-term effects of undiagnosed or untreated chronic liver conditions.
According to the Ministry of Health, liver cancer, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remains one of the leading causes of premature death in Malaysia, is the eighth most common cancer in Malaysia, yet it has the second-lowest five-year survival rate among major cancers at just 12.8 per cent.
Alarmingly, 74 per cent of cases are diagnosed at the most advanced stage (stage four), where treatment options are limited and outcomes are significantly poorer.
'The absence of early symptoms should not be mistaken for an assurance of good health. Many individuals who do not drink alcohol or engage in what are typically considered 'high-risk' behaviours assume that they are not at risk.
'In reality, liver cancer can develop silently, without any warning signs,' said Dr Johann, stressing the importance of regular health screenings regardless of perceived health status, as early detection remains the most effective way to improve outcomes.
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