Types of Cancer and Common Cancer in Malaysia | Sunway Medical Centre Penang

Types of Cancer

There are over 100 known types of cancer.

Each type of cancer behaves differently, with its own patterns of growth, spread, and response to treatment. Cancer can affect different organs, tissues, and systems within the body, which is why it is classified into various types based on where it begins and the cells involved.

Common Cancer in Malaysia

Cancer is a major health concern in Malaysia, and it was the third leading cause of death (about 15,200 cases) in the country as of 2022.

Certain cancers are especially common among Malaysians. According to the Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report, the most frequently diagnosed cancer types include:

10 Most Common Cancers in Malaysia

10 Most Common Cancers in Malaysia - The Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report 2017 – 2021

Cancer Types Affecting Men and Women

Men and women share many common cancer types, but there is important gender-specific patterns in cancer incidence. Some cancers are exclusive to one sex (due to different organs), and other cancers may be more prevalent in one gender due to behavioural, genetic, or hormonal factors.

10 Most Common Cancers by Gender

10 Most Common Cancers by Gender - The Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report 2017 – 2021

Common Cancer for Men

Men can develop cancers in most of the same organ systems as women (aside from the female-specific organs), but they also have unique risks.

Prostate cancer (cancer of the prostate gland) is a male-specific cancer, and it is one of the top cancers among Malaysian men. In fact, prostate cancer ranks in the top three most common cancers for men in Malaysia (after cancers of the colon and lung).

Common Cancer for Women

Women are at risk of cancers that men cannot get, primarily cancers of the female reproductive organs. These include breast cancer, cervical cancer (cancer of the cervix), ovarian cancer, and uterine (endometrial) cancer.

Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in Malaysian women, accounting for about 32.1% of all female cancer cases. Every year thousands of Malaysian women are diagnosed with breast cancer.

It’s worth noting that some trends for women’s cancers in Malaysia are improving. Cervical cancer, once a leading cancer for women, has shown a declining incidence over the past decade. This positive trend is attributed to widespread Pap smear screening programs and the introduction of HPV vaccination, which have helped prevent cervical cancer or detect it early.

A Message from Sunway Medical Centre Penang

Both men and women are encouraged to be aware of cancer symptoms and engage in healthy lifestyles to reduce their risk. By focusing on the prevalent cancer types in each gender – and the body locations where they arise – Sunway Medical Centre Penang aim to improve prevention and early intervention for better outcomes.

Learn more about cancer care at our Cancer Centre in Penang