Sarawak cancer burden grows as cases exceed 27,000 in 2025, colorectal second highest

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Sept 26: Sarawak’s healthcare system handled 27,208 cancer cases in 2025, including 2,995 newly diagnosed cases, highlighting the growing workload faced by healthcare professionals as cancer cases continue to rise in the State.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the figure comprised 24,253 follow-up cases, reflecting the increasing demand for cancer diagnosis, treatment and long-term patient management.

He said the clinical workload had risen steadily over the past five years, from 20,851 cases in 2021 to 27,208 last year.

In 2021, Sarawak recorded 2,114 new cases and 18,737 follow-up cases, while in 2022 there were 2,619 new cases and 21,540 follow-up cases.

The figures rose to 2,828 new cases and 22,627 follow-up cases in 2023, followed by 3,015 new cases and 24,102 follow-up cases in 2024.

Dr Sim said colorectal cancer was among the leading cancers recorded in Sarawak in 2025, with 471 cases, making it the second-highest cancer after breast cancer, which recorded 476 cases.

Of the colorectal cancer cases, 272 were colon cancer cases involving 155 males and 117 females, while 199 were rectal cancer cases involving 112 males and 87 females.

Other cancers among the leading cases included lung cancer (370), nasopharyngeal cancer (197), cervical cancer (169), prostate cancer (136), endometrial cancer (127), liver cancer (119), ovarian cancer (82) and pancreatic cancer (72).

Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said the growing cancer burden reinforced the importance of strengthening healthcare delivery and ensuring medical personnel were equipped with the latest knowledge and skills.

Speaking when officiating the 3rd Sarawak Stoma and Continence Symposium 2026 at the Borneo Cultures Museum auditorium here today, he said continuous professional development was essential as healthcare continued to evolve, with advances in surgical techniques, stoma appliances, wound and skin management, continence assessment, treatment and patient education.

“Stoma and continence care is an important area of healthcare that requires not only clinical knowledge, but also practical skills, effective communication, teamwork and a patient-centred approach,” he said in his speech text.

Dr Sim said patients living with a stoma or continence problem could face challenges extending beyond their diagnosis or surgical procedure, including impacts on daily activities, body image, confidence, relationships and overall quality of life.

“Healthcare professionals therefore had an important responsibility to provide appropriate care, education and support throughout the patient’s healthcare journey,” he said.

The symposium, he added, provided doctors and nurses with an opportunity to learn from experienced speakers, share clinical experiences, discuss challenges and explore practical approaches applicable to daily practice.

Dr Sim encouraged participants to bring the knowledge gained back to their hospitals, clinics and communities, while strengthening collaboration between doctors and nurses.

“Let us translate knowledge into practice. Let us strengthen collaboration between doctors and nurses. And most importantly, let us ensure that our patients receive safe, appropriate, compassionate and quality care,” he said.

He said the ultimate goal was not simply to treat a medical condition but to help patients regain confidence, maintain independence and live with dignity.

“Every improvement we make in our clinical practice can make a meaningful difference to a patient and their family,” he said.

Dr Sim expressed hope that the symposium would continue to grow as an important platform for continuous learning, professional development and improving stoma and continence care throughout Sarawak.
He congratulated Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), the organising committee and other parties involved in continuing the symposium, which brings healthcare professionals together to strengthen knowledge and practice in stoma and continence care.

SGH deputy medical director Dr Wong Kee Ging, head of General Surgery Department Dr Siow Sze Li, colorectal surgeon Dr Khairunisa Che Ghazali, as well as colorectal surgeon at Unimas and chairperson of the symposium Associate Professor Dr Aini Ibrahim were among those present. — DayakDaily