23/06/2025

MONDAY | JUNE 23, 2025

HEALTH 26

Vigilance, early detection key in treating cancer

W HEN it comes to cancer, most of us feel a mix of fear, confusion and uncertainty. But the truth is, understanding cancer better could save lives. In this Q&A, OncoCare Cancer Centre Malaysia CEO and senior consultant clinical oncologist Dr John Low shares what every Malaysian needs to know – from cancer trends and recent advancements in treatment to common myths and misconceptions. His advice? Do not fear it. Face it early and you might just beat it. What does the cancer landscape in Malaysia look like today? Are there any shifts? Cancer today is not what it was 20 or even 10 years ago. Yes, the incidence of cancer is on the rise, and it is not just among the elderly. The good news is that survival rates have improved tremendously. This is the positive shift we are seeing. We now have more advanced treatments, earlier detection methods and a better understanding of the disease pathology. The latest Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report 2017–2021 does paint a sobering picture. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed, followed by colorectal, lung, lymphoma and liver cancers. We are also seeing more prostate cancer cases, likely due to increased awareness, screening and earlier detection of the disease. Cervical cancer rates are dropping with the implementation of the national HPV vaccination programme. Although cancer is more common than ever, with one in eight Malaysians at risk, early detection and interventions are making a difference. Is cancer not mostly an older person’s disease? Not anymore. We are seeing more breast and colon cancers in Malaysians under 50. This may be due to rising obesity, sedentary lifestyles and a shift away from a traditional high-fibre-low-fat diet to one with more processed and modern-day convenience food. Increased awareness and screening are also picking up the cancers earlier. Being young does not mean you are immune. Your lifestyle today shapes your health tomorrow. What are some cancer myths or “old school” beliefs you still hear? 0 “Cancer is a death sentence.” Not true. Many cancers are treatable, even curable, especially when detected early. With more effective treatments available, survival rates have improved significantly. 0 “Sugar feeds cancer.” Cancer cells use glucose, but so do all your healthy cells. Cutting sugar alone will not cure cancer. What woman from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe has been identified as the only known carrier of a new blood type, dubbed “Gwada negative,“ France’s blood supply agency has announced. The announcement was made 15 years after researchers received a blood sample from a patient who was undergoing routine tests ahead of surgery, the French Blood Establishment (EFS) said on Friday. “EFS has just discovered the 48th blood group system in the world!”

now have a strong armamentarium to combat cancer. Robot-assisted surgeries with the enhanced dexterity of the robotic arms can now remove tumours from what were once difficult or impossible locations to access. Modern radiotherapy, aided by the input of artificial intelligence, can now track and deliver precisely tumourcidal doses of radiation to the cancer cells with pinpoint accuracy, causing minimal or no collateral damage. Most impactful today is our deeper and better understanding of the root causes of cancer. Oncologists in this modern era can avail of targeted drugs that can directly switch off the driver mutations in cancers. Immunotherapy is another modality, where cytotoxic agents are delivered on the back of conjugated monoclonal antibodies, which purposefully zoom in on the malignant cells whose immunogenicity we have identified. These new sophisticated therapies have vastly increased the chance of cure and effectively minimised the potential adverse effects of treatment. It is without a doubt that we are closing in on this enemy. What is ‘personalised cancer care’ and why does it matter? Personalised cancer care refers to the treatment that is best suited to your cancer and its genetic profile, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. By focusing on and delineating specific characteristics of your cancer, such as its genetic profile, we tailor the treatment to target the vulnerability specifically. This precision not only helps improve treatment effectiveness but also minimises side effects, leading to better outcomes and improved quality of life. If there is one message you want every Malaysian to remember, what would it be? Cancer is not a distant threat – it can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or lifestyle. However early detection, regular screenings and taking proactive steps for your health can make all the difference. Prevention and early action save lives. Cancer is not the end – it can be a new beginning. Be aware, stay healthy, and most importantly, do not wait. Your body is always speaking, so make sure you are listening. said Peyrard. The ABO blood group system was first discovered in the early 1900s. Thanks to DNA sequencing, the discovery of new blood groups has accelerated in recent years. Peyrard and his colleagues are now hoping to find other people with the same blood group. “Discovering new blood groups means offering patients with rare blood types a better level of care,“ EFS said. – AFP

o Disease not necessarily terminal with latest medical advancements

With more effective treatments available, cancer survival

rates have improved significantly. – 123RFPIC

This woman “is undoubtedly the only known case in the world,“ he added. “She is the only person in the world who is compatible with herself,“ he said. Peyrard also said the woman inherited the blood type from her father and mother, who each had the mutated gene. The name “Gwada negative”, which refers to the patient’s origins and “sounds good in all languages”, has been popular with the experts, processed foods, smoking and air pollution do not discriminate. Think of screenings like car maintenance – you do not wait for the engine to fail to change the oil. Rid procrastination, be in control. A quick check now could save you later. Can lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise or stress really reduce cancer risk? Absolutely. A healthy diet, regular exercise, not smoking and managing stress all play a key role in lowering cancer risk. But the most effective protection comes from combining these healthy habits with regular screenings, especially if you have a positive family history of cancer. Simple tip: Kurang manis, lebihkan sayur (less sweet, more vegetables). It is a proactive step toward reducing cancer risk. It is about taking charge and making smarter choices for your health. What are some of the newer cancer treatments now available in Malaysia? Surgical, radiation and medical oncology, the three main cancer therapy modalities, have advanced in leaps and bounds in recent years. We

matters more is maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet to support your overall health when undergoing treatment. 0 “Traditional medicine alone can cure cancer.” Some traditional remedies may support well-being or alleviate side effects, but they should never replace evidence-based cancer therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. Is the belief that cancer is always fatal still common? Yes, but this mindset is changing and rightly so. With advances such as immunotherapy and targeted therapies, some with stage 4 cancers can now survive for years. Cancer today can often be treated like a chronic condition. Many people continue to work, travel and enjoy life during and after treatment. Palliative care is also often misunderstood. It is not about giving up, but improving the quality of life. Living with cancer is possible. Early detection, timely care and emotional support make all the difference. What are some early warning signs or symptoms people often ignore?

However, resources at the time did not allow for further research, he added. Scientists were finally able to unravel the mystery in 2019 thanks to “high-throughput DNA sequencing”, which highlighted a genetic mutation, Peyrard said. The patient, who was 54 at the time and lived in Paris, was undergoing routine tests before surgery when the unknown antibody was detected, Peyrard said. In Malaysia, many early cancer signs are brushed off due to fear, cultural beliefs or misconceptions. Common examples include: 0 Sudden weight loss Often mistaken as a result of successful dieting, when it could signal stomach or pancreatic cancer. 0 Blood in stool Frequently dismissed as a result of haemorrhoids or eating spicy food, when it can be an early sign of colorectal cancer. 0 People tend to delay check-ups, thinking “it is probably nothing” This can cost precious time. Early detection can mean less aggressive treatment and a much better outcome. It is better to check and be safe – early action saves lives. What do you say to someone who thinks ‘I am too young or healthy to need a screening’? How can they be more proactive about health checks? No one wants to think about cancer, especially when they feel fine. But the truth is, cancer does not care how young or healthy you are. We are seeing cases such as breast, colorectal and even cervical cancer in people in their 30s. Lifestyle risks such as

French scientists find new blood type in Guadeloupe woman the agency said in a statement on social network LinkedIn. A FRENCH

“This discovery was officially recognised in early June in Milan by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT).” The scientific association had until now recognised 47 blood group systems. Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist at EFS involved in the discovery, told AFP that a “very unusual” antibody was first found in the patient in 2011.