Cancer Treatment & Palliative Care

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls for the Central Government to review the shortage of oncologists and the need for palliative care in the country.

Dr Tan comments on the media reports about the shortage of oncologists in Malaysia.

Apparently, about 50,000 new patients are diagnosed as having cancer every year in Malaysia and there are only 60 oncologists in public and private sectors. Only Universiti Malaya offers a four-year training for Masters in Clinical Oncology. It is said that on 27 cancer centres can offer training in radioptherapy for new graduates in private and public sectors.

Besides oncology (the treatment of cancer such as radiothery, chemotherapy and surgery), cancer and other patients with terminal illness require palliative care. There must be facilities to train specialists for this type of care. Universiti Malaya has palliative care. Other univerisities and hospitals would have to consider this specialty.

It takes at least five years to train a proper oncologist. It also requires similar duration to produce a specialist in palliative care. Even in UK, USA and Australia, there is shortage of oncologists and palliative care specialists. Doctors tend to go for other specialties.

The Health Ministry must look at oncology and palliative care seriously. Attracting specialists from Malaysian diaspora overseas to return to the country may be one of the measures.Meanwhile, having funding and creating the facilities should be the priorities.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw