Charles Santiago said there was an urgent need for the fund as it may become nearly impossible to continue employment after the disease turns chronic.
“Paying the bills becomes a problem,” he said, making a strong case for funds on World Cancer Day.
Even patients receiving treatment in government hospitals have to bear the high cost of prescribed medicines, he said.
A previous study by the George Institute for Global Health showed 39% could not afford to pay for their medication, while 19% decided to discontinue their treatment due to the costs, he told FMT.
The cancer fund is to assist those experiencing financial difficulties to get their treatment, he said.
The Klang MP also called on the government to regulate the price of medication to make it more affordable to patients.
The lawmaker said transparency in the procurement process for medicines could be one way to reduce the costs.
PSM’s Dr Michael Jeyakumar said stringent intellectual property (IP) laws were responsible for the expensive cancer treatment.
“The key is to find a balance. I can understand the need for profit and the IP laws are there for a reason, but protecting these IP should not come at the cost of human lives.”
The former MP hoped Putrajaya would work with states and private players to bring down the cost of expensive medication for cancer.
“This is also why we must be careful not to be too quick to sign trade agreements (with other countries) which could worsen the problem.”
In Sarawak, the Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching (SCAN) voiced hope that the government would allocate more funds for health infrastructure and programmes, especially in the state where access to treatment is limited.
SCAN secretary Chris Cheng told FMT there were only five specialists in the Kuching General Hospital. Patients from far-off places like Miri and Sibu have to travel all the way to Kuching for treatment.
Cheng said while chemotherapy treatments could be carried out in Miri by medical officers, patients have to travel 700km to the Kuching General Hospital to meet cancer specialist doctors.
“The hospital in Kuching is also packed. There are not enough beds and even if you wanted to add beds, there are space constraints.”
He also urged the government to provide funds for a radiotherapy unit in Miri to ease the load on the Kuching General Hospital.
“It would also be good to have some specialists in Sibu to make it easier for those from Kapit to seek treatment.”
More investments needed
Meanwhile, Cancer Research Malaysia chief executive Prof Teo Soo-Hwang said better access to treatments, innovation and better infrastructural investment is needed.
“It is also important to invest in research focused on the local population,” he said.
In Malaysia, 101 new cancer cases are detected every day.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said today 60% of cancer cases in the country are detected at a late stage, either Stage III or IV.
Bernama said he blamed this on a lack of awareness on the importance of screening and early detection.
Dzulkefly said cancer was now the second highest cause of death among Malaysians after heart disease.
The three most common among men in Malaysia are colorectal (16.4%), lung (15.8%) and nasopharynx (8.1%) cancer. The most common among women are breast (32.1%), colorectal (10.7%) and cervix (7.7%) cancer.