Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with nearly twenty million new cases of cance recorded along with 9.7 million deaths in 2022. Because of this, specialized cancer-care institutions in Southeast Asia, such as Parkway Cancer Center, have been taking action to boost the medical community’s efforts of combating the disease by providing modern facilities, advanced treatment options, and comprehensive support services for patients.

The facility recently hosted a media roundtable titled “Common Adult Cancers: Prevention, Screening, and Treatment” at the New World Hotel to raise further awareness and educate the public on cancer prevention and treatment.

Dr. Zee Ying Kiat, Senior Consultant of Medical Oncology at Parkway Cancer Center, led the discussion on the advancements in treatment and essential facts about different types of cancer, drawing from his extensive research and clinical experience.

Understanding cancer risk factors can help individuals and public health organizations take steps to prevent these risks. Studies show that 30-50 percent of cancers are preventable by developing healthy lifestyle choices, avoiding risk factors, and enforcing evidence-based prevention strategies.

Early detection through screening can significantly improve treatment outcomes and increase chances of survival, and better, can help one check for cancer for those who do not display symptoms yet.

“Cancer, if undiagnosed or untreated, has the potential to grow and spread to distant organs. This, in turn, can result in symptoms and failure of the affected organ or organs,” said Dr. Zee.

Types of screening tests include physical examinations and history, laboratory tests like blood tests, and imaging procedures. However, there are only cancers where screening can be possible and recommended like breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers. Dr. Zee emphasized that not all can have effective screening tests.

In addition, screening can also help detect and remove abnormalities that can cause cancer if left untreated. For instance, if during colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer, polyps were detected, it can be removed immediately to prevent them from becoming cancerous.

“Early diagnosis, even before the onset of symptoms, is crucial in allowing doctors to deliver more effective treatment with potentially higher rates of cure. This underlines the importance of screening for colorectal cancer.” he remarked.

Upon diagnosis, the type of treatment recommended depends on several factors, including the stage of cancer and the patient’s overall health.

“Optimal outcomes can only be achieved if patients receive multidisciplinary institutional care from medical specialists like the medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, surgical oncologist, radiologist and pathologist, integrated with input from allied health professionals like oncology-trained nurses, dieticians, physiotherapists and counselors.” He pointed out.

Surgery remains the primary treatment, evolving from open surgery to minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopic surgery, which reduce recovery time and pain. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy complement surgical interventions, offering tailored approaches to destroy cancer cells and manage the disease.

Targeted therapies, in particular, show promise in extending the lives of patients by focusing on specific genetic mutations. This therapy approach demonstrated efficacy in numerous adult cancers, including colorectal, lung, breast, stomach, and liver cancers.

With ongoing research and innovation, the hope is to continue enhancing the quality of life for those affected by this disease. As highlighted during the recent media roundtable event, awareness and education are paramount in empowering individuals to take proactive steps in their health journey.