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 February 27, 2026

 The five most commonly reported cancers in Malaysia are

breast cancer, 

colorectal cancer, 

lung cancer, 

lymphoma, and 

liver cancer.  

 

Excerpts from news portal Codeblue:  

In Malaysia, more than 290,000 cancer cases were recorded between 2017 and 2024, with cancer now ranking as the third leading cause of death in the country.  

The five most commonly reported cancers in Malaysia are breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma, and liver cancer.  

One World Health Organization (WHO) study revealed about 40 per cent of cancers can be prevented with modifiable risk factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, infections with Hepatitis B/C and HPV viruses and Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Therefore, screening for common cancers for early detection is also very important.

To address the unique cancer risks within the Malaysian population, specific screening protocols are recommended for colorectal, breast, cervical, and lung cancers. These guidelines differ slightly from general Western populations.

Core Screening Recommendations

Cancer Type	Target Group	Recommended Test & Frequency
Colorectal	Adults aged 50–75	Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT/FIT) annually or Colonoscopy every 10 years.
Breast	Women aged 50–74	Mammography every 2 years. Women aged 40–49 should discuss screening with a doctor.
Cervical	Women aged 25–69	Pap Smear every 3 years or HPV DNA test every 5 years (for those aged 30+).
Lung	High-risk adults (50–75)	Low-Dose CT (LDCT) annually for those with a significant smoking history (e.g., 20+ pack-years).

Malaysian/Asian-Specific Considerations

• Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers: Asian women who have never smoked are at higher risk due to environmental factors like air pollution, second hand smoke and indoor cooking fumes. Recent consensus suggests considering low-dose CT scans for non-smokers with a family history of lung cancer.
• Gastric Cancer: High-incidence countries like Japan and South Korea offer population-wide screening via endoscopy or upper GI series starting at age 50.
• Liver Cancer (HCC): Periodic surveillance with ultrasound and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is recommended for individuals with chronic Hepatitis B or C.
• Nasopharyngeal Cancer: The most common head and neck cancer in Malaysia, affecting the Chinese, Malay and Orang Asli populations. Specific screening (EBV serology and regular examination by a Head and Neck Surgeon) may be recommended for high-risk individuals.
• Prostate Cancer: The PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test remains the gold standard. Screening Intervals: Every 2–4 years recommended for men aged 50–69 with stable PSA levels 
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