600 people diagnosed with cancer every year in Brunei

About 600 people in Brunei are diagnosed with cancer every year on average, Brunei's Health Minister Haji Mohd Isham said in his message on World Cancer Day, which falls on Feb. 4.

According Mohd Isham, the top three most common cancers amongst Brunei's men were bowel, lung and prostate cancers whereas breast, bowel and cervical cancers were the most common among women.

"In 2016 alone, Brunei saw 353 deaths, which accounted for over 20 percent of deaths in the country," he noted.

"Sadly, the mean age of people diagnosed with cancer are 50.1 years for breast cancer (females), 49.0 years for cervix cancer (females), 65.5 years for lung cancer and 60.1 years for colorectal cancer," he added.

In Brunei, there is a probability that one in four people will be affected by cancer in their lifetime. The good news is that 30 percent to 50 percent of cancers can be prevented. Several common cancers, including breast, lung and bowel cancers are of a higher risk among people who are overweight or obese or smoker.

"Hence, chances of cancer can be reduced by avoiding risk factors and taking preventive measures such as stop smoking and avoiding exposure to second-hand smoke; maintaining a healthy weight from childhood and throughout life; ensuring that you take two to three portions of fruits and vegetables daily; reducing intake of high fat meals; and being physically active for at least 30 minutes, five times or more in a week," the minister said.