Being diagnosed with cancer is probably one of the most harrowing situations that no one should ever have the misfortune to experience.

Unfortunately, as it stands, cancer remains a scourge on Malaysian lives, with tens of thousands diagnosed with some form of cancer.

Despite the best efforts of trained healthcare practitioners and advanced medical treatments, deaths from cancer remain as an ever-haunting reminder that the cure has yet to be found.

For now, early detection and treatment remain the best choice of defence for cancer patients, and a healthy lifestyle is often a good way to reduce one’s risk of developing the disease.

Here are the five most lethal cancers plaguing Malaysian citizens:

1. Lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in Malaysia as well as the deadliest, with Malaysian men being more likely to develop it than women.

Why is this so? It is largely due to the prevalent smoking habit in Malaysia, with nearly a quarter of the population being smokers.

That said, even non-smokers are capable of developing lung cancer, which also happens to be the most lethal of cancers in Malaysia, with a relatively low survival rate.

The age group most at risk of developing lung cancer is the 60- to 74-year-old age group, and rather alarmingly, 90% of patients in Malaysia are diagnosed with stage III or IV lung cancer.

Based on this, it is rather evident that anti-smoking campaigns ought to be continued in the name of public health, as lung cancer awareness appears to be lacking.

2. Breast cancer

Among the forms of cancer affecting Malaysian women, breast cancer happens to be the most common.

According to studies, one in 19 Malaysian women is at risk of developing breast cancer, compared to one in eight in Europe and the US.

Statistics indicate that Chinese women seem to be at the greatest risk, followed by Indian and Malay women.

Most breast cancer patients are aged between 40 to 49 years, with patients typically going in for tests after detecting abnormal lumps in their chest.

As with most cancers, early detection and treatment is the best counter against breast cancer and it is important to know one’s self to better detect any oddities in the body.

3. Colon cancer

Colon cancer, also known as bowel cancer or colorectal cancer, is a particularly painful form of cancer that stems from tumorous cells in the rectum or large intestine.

In Malaysia, colon cancer is the second most common cancer in men and the third most common cancer in women.

For every 100,000 citizens, colon cancer cases are estimated to be at 21.32, with most patients being of Chinese ethnicity, followed by Malay and Indian.

The risk of developing colon cancer increases with age, and those who are aged 50 and beyond are particularly vulnerable.

In some cases, people who happen to have family members stricken with colon cancer are also more likely to develop it themselves.

4. Liver cancer

Liver cancer is one of the most common cancer types in Malaysia, with there being up to four different types of liver cancer.

The chance of developing liver cancer increases with one’s age, and it also depends on one’s gender, as men are more likely to be diagnosed with liver cancer than women.

Studies show that people of Chinese ethnicity have a higher incidence rate compared to Malay and Indian people.

Heavy drinkers and smokers are more likely to develop liver cancer as well, as are people who are obese or have been constantly exposed to arsenic and other carcinogens.

A medical check-up would be wise if you have been displaying symptoms such as appetite loss, sudden weight loss, swelling in the abdomen and constantly itching skin.

5. Leukaemia

Leukaemia, which means “white blood”, is a cancer of the white blood cells which occurs when white blood cells are uncontrollably produced by the bone marrow.

As the cancer progresses, the bone marrow grows increasingly incapable of producing other blood cell types, such as red cells and platelets, causing a whole host of problems.

Unfortunately, young children are capable of developing leukaemia, with many Malaysian children developing fast-growing strains of what is the most common form of childhood cancer.

Symptoms of leukaemia include constant nose and gum bleeds, increased instances of fever, anaemia and swollen lymph nodes.

For the most part, leukaemia is believed to be caused by radiation or chemical exposure, though genetics are also likely to play a role in the matter.