PETALING JAYA, Nov 9 (Bernama) --

About 2,900 Malaysians, especially Chinese males above the age of 50, are affected by colon cancer annually, said Deputy Director-General of Health Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman.

This is the second most common cancer-related mortality, he told reporters after launching the 2011 Colon Cancer Community Screening Project Workshop here, Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Cancer Advocacy Society of Malaysia President Dr Christina Ng said the society would conduct a workshop to educate and provide screening activities for underprivileged communities in Selayang and Gombak on colon cancer.

"The workshop will be held on Nov 20 at PPR Taman Wahyu Community Hall and some of 20,000 residents from this area including PPR Intan Baiduri and PPR Taman Prima Selayang are invited to join this program.

"Those who are 50 years and above will be offered the opportunity to enlist in a colon cancer screening programme," she said.

Ng said patients who had abnormal test results would be referred to the appointed hospitals for a follow-up colonoscopy.

Bernama Report