04/02/2026

WEDNESDAY | FEB 4, 2026

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When cancer hides in plain sight o Two women share their journey battling the debilitating disease with resilience and faith, urging early detection

For Komagal, 29, an insurance advisor, the warning signs were far subtler. She experienced brief stomach pains, which she assumed were ordinary gastric discomfort. By March, her symptoms worsened, prompting her to visit a polyclinic, where she was treated for gastric inflammation. However, by July, an endoscopy by a specialist revealed a mass in her stomach. A week later, the diagnosis was confirmed – stage four gastric cancer. “Hearing those words was overwhelming. I realised what I had dismissed as ‘just gastric pain’ was actually something far more serious.” While cancer took a physical toll, she said the emotional burden was heavier. Her family, friends and medical team became her pillars of strength. Learning more about her illness gave her a sense of control and mental resilience. “Their dedication, knowledge and compassion gave me hope when I needed it most.” Komagal’s experience carries a vital warning, especially on World Cancer Day – persistent symptoms, even mild ones, should never be ignored. “Early detection can save lives. Seeing a doctor early isn’t overreacting – it’s protecting yourself.” Mushitah hopes her journey will inspire others to seek help early and hold on to hope. “If your time has not come, you will survive. So choose to fight and live as fully as you can.” Komagal echoed the sentiment: “Resilience isn’t about being strong all the time. It’s about showing up every day, even when you’re afraid or exhausted.” particularly at busy border areas. “Although the checks take some time, they are important for early detection of potential risks and to give the public greater confidence,” he said after returning from visiting his family in Yala, southern Thailand. Thai national Apif Senik, 48, said he was aware of the virus situation and fully supported the preventive measures implemented by Malaysian health authorities. “Such checks are crucial for early detection of symptoms. These precautionary steps are necessary to prevent transmission that could have more serious health consequences,” said the Pattani native. Meanwhile, Saleha Jemae, 40, from Narathiwat, concurred, noting that the border screening reassured the public that health safety was being taken seriously. Last Sunday, the Kelantan Health Department began implementing health screenings at the state’s main entry points as an early preventive step to curb the spread of NiV. State health director Datuk Dr Mohd Azman Yacob said the precautionary measures were aimed at detecting any risk of the virus entering the country, particularly involving individuals from India. – Bernama

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

negative, hereditary-positive breast cancer, an aggressive type known to spread rapidly. Doctors initially believed the cancer was at stage three, making her a potential candidate for a clinical trial testing a new cancer drug. However, mandatory CT (computed tomography) and bone scans revealed the disease had already spread to her backbone, upgrading the diagnosis to stage four. Her specialists recommended targeted therapy, a relatively new option in Malaysia at the time. The cost was daunting – more than RM10,500 every three weeks. After discussing the treatment with her husband and children, Mushitah decided to proceed. “The first year was gruelling,” she said, adding that she underwent 18 cycles of targeted therapy alongside six cycles of conventional chemotherapy. “For six months, I had no energy. I only got up to pray or go to the toilet. Many patients give up because it’s too difficult.” Mushitah credits her survival to a strong support system and her faith. Both she and her husband are biology educators, while her daughter, a nurse, helped her navigate treatment side effects and critical medical decisions. Even so, the fear of dying was real. “I almost gave up,” she admitted. Eight years on, Mushitah continues medication and regular scans. status, greater health awareness and better access to information. In contrast, those in government hospitals are often from lower-income groups with limited health knowledge. Many do not prioritise screening, resulting in late detection.” Compounding this issue is the rising cost of insurance. Malwinder observed that many patients struggle with escalating premiums or exhaust their coverage mid-treatment. “We are seeing more patients who either lose their insurance or can no longer afford it halfway through their care. When that happens, they are referred to government hospitals,” he said, noting the added strain on public facilities. Beyond financial hurdles, fear and misinformation remain major barriers, he added. “Many people ignore symptoms because they are afraid it could be cancer. There is also a persistent myth that a biopsy causes cancer to spread. This is completely untrue, but it still prevents people from seeking a timely diagnosis.” Malwinder stressed that treatment is not always prohibitively expensive, noting that older, more affordable treatments and generic medicines remain highly effective. “Government healthcare services

PETALING JAYA: A lump that did not appear on a mammogram. Stomach pain dismissed as gastric discomfort. For two Malaysian women, these easily overlooked symptoms turned out to be stage four cancer – a stark reminder that early action can be life saving. For many, cancer is an invisible battle, one that tests not only the body but also the heart and mind. As the world marks World Cancer Day today, the stories of Mushitah Abu and Komagal serve as powerful lessons in vigilance, resilience and the importance of listening to one’s body. For Mushitah, now 63, the first warning came in 2018, when she was 55. She felt a small, hard lump in her right breast but did not immediately panic. “I thought it might be due to hormonal changes,” she recalled. When the lump did not subside after a week, she sought medical attention at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, a specialised cancer centre serving the northern region. A mammogram revealed nothing abnormal. “It was a false negative. I have very dense breast tissue. The lump was there but it couldn’t be seen.” Further investigations – including an MRI, ultrasound and biopsy – later confirmed the diagnosis: hormone PETALING JAYA: Breast, colorectal and lung cancers remain Malaysia’s most commonly diagnosed, but a rising trend of younger patients is sounding the alarm among oncologists. Consultant clinical oncologist Dr Malwinder Singh Sandhu noted that while these cancers have long topped national statistics, a worrying shift has emerged. “We used to see most cases among those in their 60s and 70s, but we are now seeing more patients in their 40s and 50s,” he said, citing sedentary lifestyles, poor diets and high-risk behaviours as key factors. The overall rise in cases is also partly attributed to improved and more widespread screening. “Every year, the numbers increase, as reflected in the national registry. With more screening, we are detecting more cases and in some instances, catching them earlier,” he added. However, Malwinder highlighted a stark gap between private and public healthcare. Patients in private hospitals, he said, are often diagnosed earlier, while those in government facilities tend to present at later stages – a disparity largely driven by socioeconomic factors. “Patients in the private sector generally have higher socioeconomic

Cancer survivor Mushitah (right) with her elder sister Hasmidar. Mushitah credits her survival to a strong support system and her faith. – PIC COURTESY OF MUSHITAH ABU

Despite ongoing treatment, she lives a full and active life – exercising daily, travelling with her family and advocating breast cancer awareness as a spokesperson for the National Cancer Council or Makna .

A brief six-month interruption in treatment last year was followed by cancer in her brain, underscoring the need for lifelong vigilance. “I don’t call myself a survivor. I’m a fighter,” she said.

More cases now seen among patients below 60, national trends show

Health screenings for Nipah intensified at M’sia-Thai checkpoints

PASIR MAS: Health screening, including body temperature checks, is being conducted on all individuals entering Malaysia through the Malaysia–Thailand border checkpoints in Kelantan to curb the spread of the Nipah virus (NiV). The measures are being implemented at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complexes in Rantau Panjang, Bukit Bunga and Pengkalan Kubor, with health personnel deployed in shifts to ensure continuous monitoring. A Bernama survey at the Rantau Panjang ICQS complex found that all individuals, including Malaysian and Thai nationals, are required to undergo temperature screening before being allowed to enter the country, under close monitoring by on-duty health personnel. Individuals recording body temperatures above 37.5 degrees Celsius will undergo further assessment, including interviews on travel history, health symptoms and risk evaluation, before any follow-up action is taken. Malaysian national Nizam Samsuddin, 30, said he understood the need for the screening measures, describing them as appropriate efforts to safeguard public health,

ensure treatment remains accessible even for those with limited means,” he said. Prevention, he emphasised, relies on a “triple threat” approach – vaccination, lifestyle changes and early detection. He pointed to the HPV vaccine’s success in reducing cervical cancer but warned that Malaysia’s high obesity rates – among the highest in Asia – remain a significant risk factor for cancer and recurrence. HPV vaccine protects against certain cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer and cancers affecting the vagina, vulva, penis, anus and throat. While acknowledging that some cancers are driven by genetics or environmental exposure, Malwinder’s message for World Cancer Day remains focused on proactive care. “Early detection not only improves survival but also reduces treatment intensity and lowers costs. A stage one breast cancer patient may only need surgery. By stage three, they may require surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy. My message is clear - go for your regular screening. Don’t wait until it’s too late.” – By Kirtinee Ramesh