By Annie Freeda Cruez

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia may be on par with developed nations when it comes to treatment of cancer but unfortunately, not every patient has access to new drugs.

Clinical oncologist Dr Jayendran Dharmaratnam said this was because the government could not continue to subsidise costly drugs.

Dr Jayendran, who heads the clinical oncology department at Hospital Likas in Kota Kinabalu, said some of the drugs were so expensive that many patients were forced to pay for them on their own or through their personal insurance coverage.

He also said that local oncologists were on par with top oncologists worldwide.

However, many do not engage in sub-specialisation or clinical research as often as others do since there is an insufficient number to cater to the demand.

"There is a gross shortage of oncologists, especially in the public sector. Thus, most of us are service-oriented and get a good deal of our information by attending oncology meetings locally and internationally."

He said local oncologists were able to treat common cancers, such as breast, colorectal, cervix and lung cancers just as ably as other oncologists elsewhere.

"Probably in areas such as prostate and skin cancer, we may have less experience as we do not come across these types of cancer as often as in other parts of the world."

Dr Jeyandran is the chairman of the Malaysian Oncological Society's scientific meeting in Sabah, which will be held at The Pacific Sutera, Kota Kinabalu, from Oct 16 to 19. The meeting is themed "Comprehensive Community Cancer Care: Evolution or Revolution".

He said this was the 12th such meeting since the formation of the society and it was aimed at bringing awareness of the latest trends in the management of cancer to care providers.

New Straits Times/Asia News Network