KOTA KINABALU: Gaps in cancer screening and access to early detection between rural and urban areas must be addressed to improve healthcare and cancer treatment in Sabah.
Former Kepayan assemblyman Datuk Jannie Lasimbang said having gone through cancer treatment herself, she understood how early detection and strong community support can help a patient’s recovery and treatment journey.
She also called on the government to expedite the installation of a PET Scan facility in Sabah, which had been promised for several years, so that patients no longer need to travel outside Sabah for crucial diagnostic and monitoring services.
“My own journey with breast cancer has shown me how critical early detection and strong community support are in improving outcomes for patients and survivors,” she said in conjunction with World Cancer Day, which falls on Feb 4.
Lasimbang said many patients, especially women and those living in rural areas, continue to face difficulties in accessing screening services, accurate information, and treatment facilities.
“These gaps must be addressed through stronger outreach, partnerships with healthcare providers, and community-based awareness initiatives,” she said.
“On World Cancer Day 2026, we are reminded that cancer remains one of the most urgent health challenges affecting families and communities across our nation,” she said.
Lasimbang said the call that cancer does not wait reminds all that awareness, early screening, and timely treatment must remain priorities at every level of society.
She said this year’s World Cancer Day theme, United by Unique, recognises that every cancer journey is different, yet the collective responsibility is the same - to ensure that no one faces the disease alone.
She said communities play a vital role in encouraging regular health checks, supporting patients emotionally, and reducing the stigma that often prevents individuals from seeking help early.
In this regard, Lasimbang urges the private sector, particularly insurance providers, to expand coverage that supports follow-up treatments, regular monitoring and long-term recovery needs of cancer patients.
“These continuing medical expenses often become a heavy burden even after initial treatment is completed,” she said.
“On this World Cancer Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a society where compassion, awareness, and accessible healthcare services help protect lives and give hope to patients and survivors.
“Through collective action and shared responsibility, we can create a future where cancer is detected earlier, treated effectively, and faced with courage and solidarity,” Lasimbang said.
