beacon Hospital Launches RM309 Lung Cancer Screening Campaign in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Beacon Hospital has partnered with KALSIS to offer Low-Dose computed Tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screenings at RM309, a notable reduction from the average cost of RM600, in an effort to improve early detection rates in Malaysia. The campaign aims to address the growing incidence of lung cancer and the fact that 60 to 70 percent of early cases are asymptomatic.
The initiative leverages institutional investment channeled through KALSIS, a social enterprise founded by the Teoh family in 2006, to close the cancer care gap. “What we’re doing is channelling that from institutional investors behind KALSIS to effect such outcomes for systemic good,” said Teoh. “What we want to do is look at how we can harness today’s capital markets to better close the cancer care gap at scale as we realize that the government can only do so much.”
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s (DOSM) 2024 report on causes of death, trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer is currently the fifth leading cause of death in the country. Despite this, only 10 percent of the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) cancer budget is allocated to early lung cancer detection, with 65 to 70 percent spent on oncology drugs for late-stage treatment.
Dr. Vijayan noted accomplished outcomes in other countries, citing a 32 percent reduction in late-stage lung cancer cases in Japan and a 20 percent reduction in the UK through the implementation of low-risk CT scans. ”So I think in the Malaysian viewpoint, even for early lung cancer, awareness programmes should be increased considerably so that the number of cases we diagnose with late cancer will eventually reduce,” he said. Currently, approximately 70 percent of lung cancer cases in Malaysia are diagnosed at a late stage.”Early detection saves lives,” stated Beacon Hospital CEO Hoe Cheah How. “By making advanced screening such as LDCT more accessible and affordable, we’re removing barriers so more people can take action before it’s too late. This isn’t just about tests - it’s about giving every person a fair chance for more healthy years ahead with their loved ones.”
Dr. Muralli described the investment in preventative screening as a “no-brainer.”