Awareness on oral cancer risks still low, says Sabah CM

 By Olivia Miwil - November 8, 2021 @ 1:19pm

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said only half of Malaysians were aware that alcohol and betel nut consumption would increase their risks of getting the disease. - NSTP file pic.

KOTA KINABALU: There should be more awareness programmes for people to know about the risks of getting oral cancer, said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

He said only half of Malaysians were aware that alcohol and betel nut consumption would increase their risks of getting the disease.

Based on a study, the chewing of betel nut would increase such a risk by six fold while consuming betel nut, alcohol and tobacco 22 times higher.

"Unfortunately, the awareness on these high risk behaviours are still low.

"Therefore, it is important to do an early check up at the dental clinic should there be signs and symptoms (of the disease)," he said when launching the state-level Oral Health Cancer Awareness week .

In Sabah, Hajiji said about 17.4 per cent of the oral cancer patients in the country were from Sabah.

He added that 5,420 people from 42,771 people of Sabah screened for the disease were of high risks to get the oral cancer following excessive intake of tobacco, betel nut and alcohol.

Hajiji also said in Malaysia, most of the oral cancer cases were detected late with more than 60 per cent were found at the advanced stages.

"Although oral cancer has a severe impact on patients, but in fact, it is preventable.

"Therefore the state government is hoping more campaigns will be held to raise the awareness among people in the state," he said, hoping for more outreach and screening programmes would also be held in rural areas.