However , we should not lose sight of the equally important fight against cancer , which has and will continue to impact the lives of patients , caregivers and our society for a long time to come .

In Malaysia , almost nine out of 10 lung cancer patients are diagnosed in the late stages . Lung cancer is one of the lethal cancers , as the late-stage diagnosis is often associated with a lower survival rate .

For patients with advanced cancers , the chances of getting cured are unlikely . Hence the treatments prescribed to them are aimed at controlling the tumour and relieving symptoms instead . Thus , it is not surprising that up until a few short years ago , the outlook for lung cancer patients was bleak . With the appropriate treatment , there is renewed hope for patients as their life could be prolonged , and they can spend more precious time with their loved ones .

This recent cancer treatment is called immunotherapy , which works by harnessing the patient ’ s own immune system to fight cancer . With immunotherapy , many advanced-stage lung cancer patients

are starting to see long-lasting remissions and longer survival rate .

ACCESS TO LIFE-SAVING CANCER TREATMENTS SHOULD BE A RIGHT

For some people , the additional few months of survival might not mean much to them . But for others , it could feel like they have been given a new lease of life . Some patients would take this opportunity to live life to the fullest , spending time with family doing what they love .

While immunotherapy has been touted as one of the biggest breakthroughs in oncology by many , it

is currently not available in Malaysian public hospitals . It has not been listed on the Ministry of Health ( MoH ) Medicines Formulary , also known as the Blue Book . What this means is that patients with economic constraints living with cancer , or patients that do not have adequate insurance coverage might not be able to receive the immunotherapy treatment that they need .

Having access to life-saving cancer treatments should be a right and not a privilege . As a member of the medical community , I would like to urge the MoH to look into the possibility of making immunotherapy accessible to the wider Malaysian public .

TREATMENT OF LUNG CANCER A NATIONAL PRIORITY

In a profession with the fundamental mission to save lives , a greater access to effective and innovative treatments are not only beneficial but also highly necessary , particularly for members of society who cannot access it most .

This is especially the case for a disease like lung cancer which can happen to anyone , regardless of their age , gender and lifestyle habits . In fact , studies have shown that even those who have never smoked in their lives could get it .

The disease burden is also high as the five-year relative survival rate of lung cancer is only 11 per cent , which is the lowest among all cancer types in Malaysia with a median survival time of only 6.8 months . Thus , the treatment of lung cancer should be seen as a significant national priority .

It is important that quality healthcare is accessible to all for Malaysia to become a more inclusive nation . I believe that by expanding the access to immunotherapy for those in need , we can help to further drive this important societal need and achieve that common aspiration together .

Accessibility to effective treatment is a key step in strengthening our countrymen and thus , building the nation towards a healthier future .

Prof Dr Liam Chong Kin is Consultant Chest Physician , University Malaya Medical Centre