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Cancer: Prevention, Protection & Treatment

24 May 2021

3 mins read

Cancer

Prevention, Protection
and Treatment

Cancer

Prevention, Protection
and Treatment

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths, or one in six deaths, in 2018.

In Malaysia, the number of new cancer cases recorded over a period of five years from 2012 to 2016 has increased to 115,238 from 103,507 cases that were recorded in the corresponding period of 2007 to 2011.

Given the numbers, cancer may be a frightening prospect for many, but thanks to modern medicine, early detection can result in better treatment outcomes and a higher chance of recovery.

In its early stage (localised cancer), colon cancer has a 91% survival rate and breast cancer, 99%.

However, in its late stage, the survival rate drops to 14% for colon cancer and 28% for breast cancer.

Cancer treatment can be very expensive. For example, breast cancer patients often need extensive health coverage to manage their medical bills, which can leave them facing an uncertain future while trying to rebuild their lives.

According to RinggitPlus, the estimated treatment cost for several cancer types, if done locally at private hospitals are:

Lymphoma

CANCER

Up to
RM95,000

Breast

CANCER

Up to
RM395,000

Colorectal

CANCER

Up to
RM85,000

Lung

CANCER
(including trachea
& bronchus)

Up to
RM56,000

Nasopharynx

CANCER

Up to
RM70,000

Lymphoma

Cancer

Up to
RM95,000

Breast

Cancer

Up to
RM395,000

Colorectal

Cancer

Up to
RM85,000

Lung

Cancer

(including trachea & bronchus)

Up to
RM56,000

Nasopharynx

Cancer

Up to
RM70,000

Cancer treatment can be very expensive. For example, breast cancer patients often need extensive health coverage to manage their medical bills, which can leave them facing an uncertain future while trying to rebuild their lives.

According to RinggitPlus, the estimated treatment cost for several cancer types, if done locally at private hospitals are:

Lymphoma

CANCER

Up to
RM95,000

Breast

CANCER

Up to
RM395,000

Colorectal

CANCER

Up to
RM85,000

Lung

CANCER
(including trachea
& bronchus)

Up to
RM56,000

Nasopharynx

CANCER

Up to
RM70,000

Lymphoma

Cancer

Up to
RM95,000

Breast

Cancer

Up to
RM395,000

Colorectal

Cancer

Up to
RM85,000

Lung

Cancer

(including trachea & bronchus)

Up to
RM56,000

Nasopharynx

Cancer

Up to
RM70,000

What Causes Cancer

As explained by the World Health Organisation (WHO):

Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably.

It then invades adjoining parts of the body and/or spreads to other organs.

It is a genetic disease, and it can happen because of errors that occur as cells divide or damage to DNA.

Can also be caused by harmful substances in the environment like chemicals in tobacco smoke and ultraviolet rays from the sun.

While the body normally eliminates cells with damaged DNA before they turn cancerous, its ability to do so goes down as we age. This is part of the reason why there is a higher risk of cancer later in life.

What Causes Cancer

As explained by the World Health Organisation (WHO):

Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably.

It then invades adjoining parts of the body and/or spreads to other organs.

It is a genetic disease, and it can happen because of errors that occur as cells divide or damage to DNA.

Can also be caused by harmful substances in the environment like chemicals in tobacco smoke and ultraviolet rays from the sun.

While the body normally eliminates cells with damaged DNA before they turn cancerous, its ability to do so goes down as we age. This is part of the reason why there is a higher risk of cancer later in life.

How Healthier Habits Help

According to World Health Oranisation (WHO), between 30% to 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented by prevention and early detection. Prevention also offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer.

The most effective form of prevention is to develop health habits such as:

Getting enough sleep

Limit alcohol intake

Avoid tobacco use

Healthier diet (more fruits and vegetables)

Exercise and fitness activities

Routine medical check-ups

AIA Vitality,

AIA’s unique health programme motivates you to make healthy choices with points, rewards and offers!

For example, you can get AIA Vitality points when you sleep for 7 hours a day and enjoy 10% OFF fresh vegetables and fruits when you shop at Jaya Grocer with AIA Vitality.

How to Protect Yourself

Another important aspect of cancer care is ensuring that you are financially protected in the event of a diagnosis.

AIA goes beyond protection by being here for you every step of the way – from prevention and protection, to treatment and recovery with Total Health Solution, which includes both insurance and takaful plans. Do reach out to your Life Planners to learn more.

At the end of the day, it is all about being healthy.

We can reduce our risk of cancer if we lead a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. Exercise frequently, eat right and practise regular check-ups too because early detection can make a real difference.

REFERENCES

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/01/03/more-malaysians-diagnosed-with-cancer-than-ever-before-new-data-reveals/1824502

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer#:~:text=Cancer%20is%20a%20disease%20in,up%20of%20trillions%20of%20cells

https://www.who.int/health-topics/cancer

https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2020/01/03/cancer-cases-rise-in-malaysia-chinese-most-prone

www.breastcancer.org

www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mammogram

https://ringgitplus.com/en/blog/sponsored/cancer-treatment-in-malaysia-how-much-does-it-cost.html

purple-bg

How Healthier Habits Help

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), between 30% to 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented by prevention and early detection. Prevention also offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer.

The most effective form of prevention is to develop health habits such as:

Getting enough sleep

Limit alcohol intake

Avoid tobacco use

Healthier diet (more fruits and vegetables)

Exercise and fitness activities

Routine medical check-ups

AIA Vitality,

AIA’s unique health programme motivates you to make healthy choices with points, rewards and offers!

For example, you can get AIA Vitality points when you sleep for 7 hours a day and enjoy 10% OFF fresh vegetables and fruits when you shop at Jaya Grocer with AIA Vitality.

How to Protect Yourself

Another important aspect of cancer care is ensuring that you are financially protected in the event of a diagnosis.

AIA goes beyond protection by being here for you every step of the way – from prevention and protection, to treatment and recovery with Total Health Solution, which includes both insurance and takaful plans. Do reach out to your Life Planners to learn more.

At the end of the day, it is all about being healthy.

We can reduce our risk of cancer if we lead a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. Exercise frequently, eat right and practise regular check-ups too because early detection can make a real difference.

REFERENCES

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/01/03/more-malaysians-diagnosed-with-cancer-than-ever-before-new-data-reveals/1824502

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer#:~:text=Cancer%20is%20a%20disease%20in,up%20of%20trillions%20of%20cells

https://www.who.int/health-topics/cancer

https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2020/01/03/cancer-cases-rise-in-malaysia-chinese-most-prone

www.breastcancer.org

www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mammogram

https://ringgitplus.com/en/blog/sponsored/cancer-treatment-in-malaysia-how-much-does-it-cost.html

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6 Things You Should Know About Healthcare in Malaysia

4 mins read

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AIA Vitality

AIA Vitality is a unique insurance and health programme that actively supports and rewards you for making healthier choices every day so you can live a healthier, longer and better life.

Find out more

Live Well

Cancer: Prevention, Protection & Treatment

Cancer

Cancer

Lymphoma

Breast

Colorectal

Lung

Nasopharynx

Lymphoma

Cancer

Breast

Cancer

Colorectal

Cancer

Lung

Cancer

Nasopharynx

Cancer

Lymphoma

Breast

Colorectal

Lung

Nasopharynx

Lymphoma

Cancer

Breast

Cancer

Colorectal

Cancer

Lung

Cancer

Nasopharynx

Cancer

6 Things You Should Know About Healthcare in Malaysia

Share

You might want to explore

AIA Vitality