Speaking to FMT on its 2017 Budget wish list, NCSM President and Medical Director Dr Saunthari Somasundaram said this was crucial to minimise the negative impact on the health of the people and the economy of the country.
Elaborating further, Saunthari said such prevention and early detection programmes included the implementation of a tobacco bill and a National Cancer Control Plan.
“This also includes the continuation of the cervical cancer vaccination, and the implementation of breast cancer and colorectal screening programmes.
“These three cancers are the most preventable or early detectable cancers. They are the topmost common cancers in Malaysia.”
Saunthari said investments into prevention and early detection were more cost effective.
This had a better outcome then focusing on treatment alone, she said.
Saunthari added that resources were also needed urgently in the area of surveillance as not enough resources were allocated to the gathering of local data on the state of cancer and other diseases.
“Without knowing who and how people are impacted by cancer, it is difficult to target the vulnerable population with effective programmes.”
Earlier this year, Deputy Health Minister Dr Hilmi Yahaya revealed that one in four Malaysians will have cancer by age 75.
He added that cancer was the fourth highest cause of deaths in government hospitals.
DAP lawmaker Charles Santiago has also called for the removal of any and all Goods and Services Tax (GST) charges for cancer treatments.