Malaysia has seen a sharp increase in cancer cases in recent years

The number of cancer cases in Malaysia in 2022 more than doubled from 393,000 in 2019 to 874,000 in 2022, the National Cancer Society of Malaysia said on Monday.

In addition to genetic factors, lifestyle is also a major factor in the increase in cancer cases, said National Cancer Institute director Banu. In particular, she noted that people’s inability to go out and exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic and their less healthy diet may have contributed to the increase in cancer cases over the past three years.

The official also pointed out that cancer cases in Malaysia are currently as young as two months old and as old as 90 years old. Breast and colon cancers are the country’s biggest cancer killers. She called on the government and social organizations to work together to enhance cancer awareness.