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PENAMPANG: Kepayan Assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang said mental support and consistent treatment are critical for cancer patients to recover.

“Therefore prevention and early treatment is very important to help reduce cases and deaths,” said Jannie, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and began her treatment process involving chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.

“I am lucky to have had strong mental and physical support from family members and friends during my treatment process.  

“Cancer prevention programmes are not fully implemented, resulting in millions of avoidable cases. Late diagnosis often leads to less effective and more expensive treatment.

“As the fight against cancer continues, the efforts of all parties are urgently needed. The government, healthcare providers and communities must work together to address the rising incidence of cancer and ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or location, has access to the care and treatment they need,” she said, on the occasion of World Cancer Day on Feb. 4. 

The theme for 2025, “United by Unique” emphasises the need to recognise the unique experience of each patient and the importance of delivering people-centred care, as well as the provision of health, family and community care.

In 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that the Southeast Asia Region would see 2.4 million new cancer cases and 1.5 million cancer-related deaths, including 56,000 among children.

The number of cancer cases and deaths in the region is expected to increase by 85 per cent by 2050, signalling an urgent need for effective cancer prevention and treatment strategies.