Over 60pc cancers detected late
Published on: Wed, Jul 09, 2025
By: Clarence Dol Text Size: Jonathan hitting the gong as he officiates at the programme. RANAU: Early detection and quick treatment give patients a good chance of recovery, as more than 60pc are detected for cancer at a late stage. Ranau MP Datuk Jonathan Yasin said a study found that 63.7pc of all cancers are detected at a late stage, namely at stage III and stage IV. 'In Malaysia, there are three types of cancer that occur most frequently among women, namely breast cancer (33.9pc), followed by colorectal/intestinal cancer (10.7pc) and cervical/uterine cancer (6.2pc),' he said when officiating the Ranau District Level Cancer Screening Tour Programme held at the SK ST Benedict Ranau Hall, recently. 'Meanwhile, among men, the most frequent cancers are colorectal/large intestine cancer (16.9pc), lung cancer (14.8pc) and prostate cancer (8.1pc).' Realising this, he said, the cancer tour programme is the best medium to encourage the community to undergo cancer screening and become a platform for the community to obtain information regarding health education. He thanked the organisers, namely the Ranau District Health Office led by the Administrative Medical Director of the Ranau District Health Office, Dr Wong Yoke Kong, for organising the programme. He also congratulated the staff from the Ranau District Health Office, Health Clinics in Kundasang, Bundu Tuhan, Lohan, Perancangan, Paginatan, Timbua and Kaingaran Health Clinic who were on duty throughout the programme. 'Your dedication in ensuring the programme runs smoothly and the delivery of health screening services is greatly appreciated,' he said. According to Jonathan, the Cancer Screening Tour Programme is a community programme organised by the Sabah State Health Department (JKNS) in collaboration with government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the National Cancer Council (Makna) and National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN). 'This year, the Ranau District Health Office has been chosen as the host. I was informed that the programme started on May 14, 2025. 'Various interesting activities are provided to the public, including a screening programme that opens its arena at the Kundasang Cultural Stage. 'The selection of this location is intended to provide the widest opportunity and space for the surrounding residents to come and visit and subsequently obtain the services provided since the selected location is located halfway between the Kundasang area and the Bundu Tuhan area,' he said. 'We are also very lucky, because Makna participated and brought with it a mobile trailer to Ranau District to enable Mammogram Tests and Bowel Cancer Screening Tests to be carried out comfortably, especially for the people of Ranau District. 'In addition to Mammogram Tests and Bowel Cancer Screening Tests conducted by Makna, LPPKN also offers cervical cancer screening services through HPV / Cervical Cancer Tests including Mammogram Tests to detect breast cancer,' he said. Jonathan said other services also offered to the residents of Ranau District include oral cancer detection conducted by the Ranau Dental Clinic and health screening for the purpose of identifying personal health status by government health clinics in the district.
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