KUALA LUMPUR: What was meant to be a routine health check-up turned into a life-changing moment for Tengku Nazeehah Tengku Mahmood.
To the 46-year-old homemaker’s shock, she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
“My case was a little different because I had no symptoms at all. In April 2021, I went through a colonoscopy and endoscopy, simply because I had entered my 40s. Honestly, I didn’t even know what colorectal cancer was.”
After the colonoscopy, the doctor told her there was a blockage in her rectum and took a biopsy sample. The very next day, she had to go for a CT scan.
“When I met the gastroenterologist later with the results, he confirmed it was stage three colorectal cancer.”
Refusing to give up, Tengku Nazeehah began learning everything she could about colorectal cancer and sought treatment.
Now, over four years later, she is a cancer survivor, having completed surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
“I only see my colorectal and oncology specialists once a year. I do a CT scan annually and a colonoscopy every three years,” she said, adding that the unwavering support of her husband and children kept her strong.
Dr Nurhashim Haron, a general surgeon and colorectal cancer specialist, said colorectal cancer, also known as colon or bowel cancer, develops in the large intestine.
It is the second most common cancer in Malaysia after breast cancer.
He said there are an estimated 4,000 to 4,500 new colorectal cancer cases each year, compared with 3,500 to 4,000 cases a decade ago.
Data from the National Cancer Registry showed that between 2017 and 2021, colorectal cancer accounted for 18.8% of cancer cases among men – an increase from 14.8% in 2012-2016.
Among women, it comprised 13.7% of cancer cases in the same period, compared with 11.1% previously (2012-2016).
Dr Nurhashim said colorectal cancer can sometimes show no symptoms in its early stages. However, bleeding is often the most common warning sign.
Other red flags are changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, changes in stool consistency, and unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.
“A decade ago, the higher-risk group was 50 and older, but now even those in their mid-40s are also getting this cancer,” Dr Nurhashim added.
He encourages regular screening, even before symptoms appear.
“Screening allows us to detect cancer early. Colorectal cancer often begins with small growths in the intestine called polyps.
“Each polyp has a 30% to 40% chance of developing into cancer. If we find and remove them early, we can prevent cancer altogether.”
One of the screening methods for colorectal cancer is the FOB (faecal occult blood) test, which detects hidden blood in stool samples. This test can be done at home or in clinics.
“If the results are positive, further diagnostic tests like colonoscopy are required.”
Dr Nurhashim added that those with a family history of cancer and aged above 45 are encouraged to take the FOB test.
