By Kol. Bersekutu (PA), Assoc Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy,
Cancer – even the single, simple word used to describe this condition seems unassuming, yet contained within it is a complex , multidimensional landscape of a multitude of different diseases that affects individuals, families, communities and nations in so many different ways.
Yet, some are still not convinced as to how severe cancer is as a problem. Many dismiss it as, “… just another disease”. But cancer is not just another disease. In the next couple of paragraphs, allow me to share with you on why cancer matters ?
First, cancer is not one disease. There are more than 200 different cancers; and people from all walks of life- from newborn babies right up to elderly people, get cancer. Different types of cancer affect men and women; and cancer afflicts individuals across all different racial and ethnic backgrounds. At current projected rates, 1 in 3 Malaysians will get cancer in their lifetime. So, cancer matters because almost everyone can be affected by it.
Second, cancer is a difficult disease to diagnose and treat. Unlike many diseases, cancer is often a ‘quiet’ disease with no obvious symptoms right until it is detected in late stages– and by then it’s often too late to treat. Many people struggle to get diagnosed in a timely manner; and even after being diagnosed, treatment journeys are long, complex and expensive. With more than 60% of all our cancers being diagnosed in late stages (Stage III or IV) , inevitably even after being diagnosed and treated, some people die of their cancer, while some face complications which continue to affect them for the rest of their lives. For some people, treatment is successful and they go into extended remission – but even for them, the looming spectre of recurrence (where the cancer may come back) is a ‘dark cloud’ hanging over their lives. So, cancer matters because it is a serious, debilitating disease that not only kills, but also causes life-long issues for people who are afflicted by it.
Third, cancer is a disease that not only impacts those afflicted by the disease but also their families, communities and even the whole country. Families of people suffering from cancer often have to face financial difficulties because they have to help pay for treatments. The strain of having a family member suffer with cancer by itself causes families to break up; and alongside the family member with cancer, often others also end losing jobs and becoming afflicted by mental health challenges such as depression. The human resource loss to our community and our nation is also priceless. The financial costs of managing cancer alone are a tremendous burden to our health system; and when coupled together with the opportunity costs and loss of productivity which is also incurred – the costs seem almost insurmountable. This is why cancer matters, because in addition to its clinical impact; it has a devastating social and economic impact on everyone’s lives.
On top of all these effects that cancer has on all our lives, there are so intangible impacts due to cancer on our society and civilisation which perhaps can never even be assessed realistically. For example, the loss of every young person to childhood cancer is the loss of someone who could have become a Nobel Prize winner, Olympic athlete or even an Oscar winning actor. This why cancer matters, because it impacts the growth of our society as a whole in so many visible and invisible ways,
“Cancer cannot cripple love, it cannot shatter hope, it cannot conquer the spirit.” – Anonymous
Every day, my colleagues and I at the National Cancer Society of Malaysia continue to work tirelessly to ensure that cancer does not cripple the lives of those living with the disease; we strive to ensure that the individuals, families and communities we support continue to live with dignity and hope; and above all, we will continue to work daily to ensure that cancer will not dishearten our spirits and darken our lives. This is our mission; and this is why cancer matters to me (and should for all of us).
