KUCHING: More than 800 runners descended on the BDC area for the KPJ Kuching Cancer Awareness Run 2022.
The 4th edition of the annual run was held at the KPJ Kuching Hospital to increase cancer awareness among public.
The run was flagged off by Datuk Wee Hong Seng, Mayor of Kuching South with Hayati Daud, Vice President of Pink Ribbon Support Group Sarawak, accompanied by the board members and management of KPJ Kuching.
In its press statement, its spokesperson said cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and is responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018 alone.
In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health (KKM) reported an increase of 11 per cent (115,238 cases) of cancer cases between 2012 until 2026 compared to 103,507 cases between 2007 until 2011.
KPJ disclosed that morbidity cases due to cancer is the main cause of deaths in private hospitals (64.95 per cent) and fourth biggest cause of death in government hospitals (11.56 per cent).
The spokesperson added that cancer is also one of the ten main reasons for patient admission in both government (5.17 per cent) and private hospitals (5.37 per cent).
Three types of common cancer in Malaysia among men are colorectal cancer (16.9 per cent), lung cancer (14.8 per cent) and prostate cancer (8.1 per cent).
On the other hand, breast cancer (33.9 per cent), colorectal cancer (10.7 per cent) and cervical cancer (6.2 per cent) are the types of cancer commonly found among women in Malaysia, she said.
“Due to these alarming figures, the hospital shows its support by organising the event to promote awareness of cancer among the public.
“This year, the tagline ‘Kiss Cancer Goodbye’ was chosen to symbolise the stand to fight against cancer and a healthier life without cancer,” she added.
The hospital also donated to Pink Ribbon Support Group Sarawak that is active in supporting cancer awareness patients and survivors in Kuching.
The donation was given during the run and the group was represented by Hayati.
