2,157 individuals underwent tumour marker screening in Melaka

MELAKA - A total of 2,157 individuals aged 40 and above have undergone tumour marker tests under the MBio Sihat Programme in Melaka as of July 8, said state Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Communications Committee chairman Fairul Nizam Roslan.

He said out of that number, 52 males were diagnosed with colon cancer and 51 with prostate cancer. Additionally, 12 females were diagnosed with colon cancer and 48 with ovarian cancer.

"The aim of tumour marker screening is to detect early warning signs and identify potential cases that require further testing for confirmation,” he said at the Melaka State Assembly sitting at Kompleks Seri Negeri, Ayer Keroh here today.

He was responding to a question from by Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub (PN-Bemban) who wanted to know the status of the MBio Sihat programme.

Meanwhile, when met outside the hall, Fairul Nizam said the state government had allocated RM540,000 for the screening programme this year.

"Initially, this programme targets 5,400 individuals aged 40 and above who are Social Welfare Department aid recipients. However, due to the lukewarm response from the group, we expanded the offer to all Melaka residents within the same age group starting in May this year.

"Through this programme, participants will undergo two cancer screening tests for free, compared to getting screened at a health facility where one test could cost more than RM100,” he said.

He added that the state government, through Perbadanan Bioteknologi Melaka, aimed to extend the screening to liver and breast cancer next year. - BERNAMA