15/12/2025

MONDAY | DEC 15, 2025

26

HEALTH

Early detection saves lives

HEALTH MINISTRY TARGETS RM3 BILLION IN MEDICAL TOURISM REVENUE FOR 2025 The Health Ministry is targeting RM3 billion in revenue from the medical tourism sector this year with the arrival of 2.5 million health tourists, said minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said the target considers the current momentum, following 1.6 million health tourists generating RM2.72 billion in revenue last year. He added that this confidence is reinforced ahead of the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026, with the ministry prepared to enhance service capacity and quality to attract more international patients. “This is our projection. We believe we can even outperform this revenue target. We will strive to achieve such KPIs,” he said during a press conference at the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital 2025 awards ceremony. – Bernama GOVT YET TO APPROVE ANY INFLUENZA SELF-TEST KITS, SAYS DEPUTY MINISTER The Medical Device Authority has not registered any influenza self-test kits so far because most of them detect the presence of the virus using saliva samples. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the detection method was found to be less effective and does not give an accurate result. “The collection of samples through nasal swabs or blood, and carried out under the supervision of a medical practitioner for more accurate results, is more appropriate,” he said during an oral question-and-answer session in Dewan Negara. He was replying to a question from Senator Azahar Hassan regarding the Health Ministry’s justification for not approving self-test kits for influenza despite the presence of seasonal cases and public health concerns. Lukanisman said the ministry will consider alternative detection tests that are easily accessible and effective to deal with influenza infection cases so that the spread of the disease can be contained and does not threaten or affect public health. – Bernama PROSTATE PSA SCREENING AT NO COST TO PROMOTE MEN’S HEALTH Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur is encouraging men to take proactive steps in safeguarding their health with a complimentary prostate PSA screening, available until Dec 31. The initiative aims to raise awareness about prostate health, early detection and timely intervention. Eligible participants will also receive a no-cost consultation with a consultant urologist should their PSA levels be elevated, ensuring expert guidance and follow-up care. This screening is recommended for men who meet at least two of these criteria: Aged 40 years and above, have a family history of prostate or breast cancer, experiencing urinary symptoms, looking for a routine annual check to maintain good prostate health.

A trace of blood in the stool, a mild stomach ache and a persistent urge to pass motion. Most Malaysians would dismiss these as haemorrhoids or a simple stomach upset. But these seemingly harmless symptoms are often the first warnings of colorectal cancer, Malaysia’s most common cancer among men and the second most common among women. According to the Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report 2017–2021, about 70% of colorectal cancer cases are only diagnosed when the disease has already reached stage three or four. By then, treatment becomes tougher and survival drops sharply. This is a disease that can be prevented or cured if caught early. The data paint a worrying picture. Colorectal cancer now makes up nearly 10% of all cancer cases worldwide, and in Malaysia, its incidence is highest among the Chinese population, followed by Malays and Indians. Traditionally seen in older adults, cases are now increasingly appearing among younger Malaysians in their 20s to 50s, a trend that an expert describes as “deeply concerning and a o Colorectal cancer cases increasingly appearing among younger Malaysians

for those at stage four. Yet, awareness remains the biggest barrier. Government clinics and NGOs such as the National Cancer Society Malaysia and Colorectal Cancer Survivorship Society Malaysia currently offer free screening, but participation is voluntary. Integrating routine screening reminders into national health systems, similar to programmes in Japan, Singapore and the UK would significantly boost early detection rates. Beyond cancer prevention, colon health is central to overall well-being. A balanced diet high in fibre, fruits and whole grains, along with regular exercise, adequate sleep and stress management, all contribute to a healthy gut and body. Your gut affects everything from your digestion to your mood and energy levels. A healthy colon truly reflects a healthy life. General practitioners are urged to normalise conversations about bowel health as primary care doctors are the first line of defence. The message is simple but urgent: listen to your body, get screened early and do not wait for symptoms. Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and curable, but only if caught in time. This article is contributed by Oriental Melaka Straits Medical Centre consultant general and colorectal surgeon Dr Jothinathan Muniandy.

sign of lifestyle and dietary shifts.” Screening is the single most powerful tool in changing these outcomes. The immunochemical faecal occult blood test and M2-PK stool tests are simple, affordable and available at most clinics. These non-invasive tests can detect hidden blood or enzyme markers long before symptoms arise. For those who test positive, a colonoscopy, the gold standard, allows doctors to diagnose and remove any suspicious growths during the same session. While screening for average risk individuals is recommended from age 50, the Malaysian Health Ministry and the American Cancer Society have revised guidelines suggesting it begin as early as 45 years old, particularly due to rising cases in younger age groups. For those with family history, it is advised to start screening at 40 years old, or 10 years before the age their relative was diagnosed. Despite widespread availability, uptake remains low, below 20% among eligible adults. Many Malaysians still avoid screening due to fear, stigma or embarrassment. People worry it will be painful, or they simply do not want to talk about that part of their body. But the truth is, most of these tests are quick, painless and can save your life. According to the National Strategic Plan for Colorectal Cancer (2021–2025), early detection dramatically improves survival; about 75.8% of patients diagnosed at stage one live beyond five years, compared to just 17.3%

BR I E F S

Colonoscopy allows doctors to diagnose and remove any suspicious growths during the same session.

New study suggests best way to stop taking antidepressants THE best way for people with depression to stop taking Zaccoletti from Italy’s University of Verona said in a statement.

When patients “express a desire to reduce their medication, it is still often interpreted by the medical community as a denial of their disorder,” Musso added. However, Villelongue pointed out that the psychological support called for by the research is not a realistic option for everyone. The study’s conclusions are based “on an ideal world, but the reality on the ground is quite different,” she said. “Sometimes the psychiatrist is unavailable – you go a month of two without seeing them. In the meantime, if the person is tapering off medication and is struggling, they have no one to talk to,” she said. – AFP

included 17,000 people. It found that the most effective way for a patient to stop taking antidepressants was to gradually lower the dosage alongside seeing a psychologist. Compared to suddenly stopping or tapering off too quickly, this recommendation could prevent a relapse in one out of every five patients, the study said. The worst option, in all cases, was abruptly stopping. “Our findings suggest that while antidepressants are effective in preventing depressive relapses, they do not need to be a long-term treatment for everyone,” study co-author Debora

Villelongue, co-head of the France Depression association, said. However, “there are no guidelines: very often, when medication is stopped, there is no follow-up,” she added. In recent years, a process called “deprescribing”, which gradually reduces the dose has gained traction with psychiatrists concerned about overprescription, long-term side effects, withdrawal symptoms or the risk of a relapse. Now, a large-scale study has been published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal evaluating the available evidence across 76 different randomised controlled trials, which

However some specialists urged caution. “Even with very slow tapering, discontinuation of antidepressant therapy continues to be associated with risk of relapse,” Jonathan Henssler of Charite Berlin university hospital said in a linked comment. The study therefore highlights the “benefit of psychotherapy,” he added. French psychiatrist Maeva Musso emphasised that getting off antidepressants was too often overlooked. “Throughout my residency, which I only recently completed, this topic was never addressed,” she said.

antidepressants once their condition improves is to slowly taper off the medication while also receiving psychological support, new research suggested. More than 5% of the global population is estimated to suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organisation, and a range of drugs to treat the condition have been widely prescribed for decades. But how exactly to stop taking these drugs has proved a difficult problem. “As soon as an antidepressant is changed or reduced, it is a source of anxiety for the person,” Christine