Selangor Journal: Liver cancer screening added to Selangor Saring

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SHAH ALAM, July 11 — State executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said a liver examination to detect cancer will be added to the Selangor Saring programme.

Jamaliah said her office will discuss the matter and hold engagement sessions with stakeholders.

“In 2022, the International Agency for Research on Cancer under the World Health Organisation said liver cancer is the fourth most recorded cancer in the country, with 2,363 cases, or 4.6 per cent,” she said at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting here yesterday.

In her wind-up speech during the First Selangor Plan mid-term review debate, Jamaliah said Selangor Saring performed 233,554 screenings last year, compared with 156,499 screenings in 2022.

“Based on data from the National Health Screening initiative for non-communicable disease — for high blood pressure, overweight and obesity — declined in 2023 compared with 2022, while a rise in high cholesterol and blood sugar issues was detected,” she said.

Selangor Saring was introduced in 2022 to encourage early detection, especially for residents with a family history of medical issues, obesity and unhealthy lifestyles.

The scheme was improved last year with more services including dental and ear checkups, as well as physiotherapy sessions.

Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, under the state budget for this year, announced RM3.2 million to continue the free health screening programme.

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