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). |
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