OBJECTIVE: Research over the past several decades has indicated that low socioeconomic class has a direct effect on health outcomes. In Malaysia, class distribution may differ with the region. The objective of this study was to compare the presentation and survival of colorectal cancer patients in two dissimilar cities, Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, Sarawak. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with a malignancy of the colon or rectum in Sarawak General Hospital and University of Malaya Medical Center from 1st Jan 2000-31st Dec 2006 were recruited. Data on presentation, socio-economic class and survival were obtained. The survival duration was categorized into more than three years or three years and less. Testing for significance was performed using the chi-square test, with p values less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 565 patients in UMMC and 642 patients in SGH had a new diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma. Patients in Kuching had a longer duration of symptoms and more advanced stage at presentation, but this was not statistically significant. Lower socio-economic class was a significant factor for late and more advanced stage at diagnosis, as well as poorer three and five year survival rates. However, survival was lower for patients in Kuching compared to Kuala Lumpur, even after matching for socio-economic class. CONCLUSION: There is near-zero awareness of colorectal cancer screening in Malaysia. These findings support reaching out to communities of lower socioeconomic backgrounds to improve the colorectal cancer survival rates.
OBJECTIVE: Research over the past several decades has indicated that low socioeconomic class has a direct effect on health outcomes. In Malaysia, class distribution may differ with the region. The objective of this study was to compare the presentation and survival of colorectal cancerpatients in two dissimilar cities, Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, Sarawak. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with a malignancy of the colon or rectum in Sarawak General Hospital and University of Malaya Medical Center from 1st Jan 2000-31st Dec 2006 were recruited. Data on presentation, socio-economic class and survival were obtained. The survival duration was categorized into more than three years or three years and less. Testing for significance was performed using the chi-square test, with p values less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 565 patients in UMMC and 642 patients in SGH had a new diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma. Patients in Kuching had a longer duration of symptoms and more advanced stage at presentation, but this was not statistically significant. Lower socio-economic class was a significant factor for late and more advanced stage at diagnosis, as well as poorer three and five year survival rates. However, survival was lower for patients in Kuching compared to Kuala Lumpur, even after matching for socio-economic class. CONCLUSION: There is near-zero awareness of colorectal cancer screening in Malaysia. These findings support reaching out to communities of lower socioeconomic backgrounds to improve the colorectal cancer survival rates.
Authors: Tin Tin Su; Jun Yan Goh; Jackson Tan; Abdul Rahim Muhaimah; Yoganathan Pigeneswaren; Nasirin Sallamun Khairun; Abdul Wahab Normazidah; Devi Kunasekaran Tharisini; Hazreen Abd Majid Journal: BMC Cancer Date: 2013-08-07 Impact factor: 4.430
Authors: Nik Razima Wan Ibrahim; Huan-Keat Chan; Shahrul Aiman Soelar; Ahmad Najib Azmi; Rosaida Mohd Said; Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan Journal: Asian Pac J Cancer Prev Date: 2020-04-01
Authors: Désirée Schliemann; Michael Donnelly; Maznah Dahlui; Siew Yim Loh; Nor Saleha Binti Tamin Ibrahim; Saunthari Somasundaram; Conan Donnelly; Tin Tin Su Journal: BMC Cancer Date: 2018-09-10 Impact factor: 4.430