Official statistics showed that a total of 625 people in Brunei Darussalam were diagnosed with cancer in 2018, making the disease the leading cause of death in the sultanate.
Dr Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, the Minister of Health in Brunei, pointed out the staggering statistics on World Cancer Day, the Borneo Bulletin reported. A total of 353 people died from cancer in 2016, accounting for 20 per cent of all mortalities, according to the MoH.
Statistics from the National Cancer Registry pointed out that one in four males contract cancer, most commonly colorectal, trachea, prostate and bronchus and lungs. A total of 29% of women suffer from cancer, mostly breast cancer, colorectal cancer and cervical cancer.
The minister urged citizens to maintain a healthy lifestyle by making wise choices, such as consuming healthy food and staying active every day. He also added that early detection of diseases saves countless lives and empowered patients to take control of their cancer.