Health Ministry starts pilot project to detect cancer within hours

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 26  (Bernama) --The Ministry of Health is implementing a pilot project to detect cancer within a few hours compared to the previous method which takes several days, said Health deputy director-general (Medicine) Datuk Dr Azman Abu Bakar.

He said the project conducted in collaboration with the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) would provide latest pathology tests namely deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)and  molecules against cancer.

Without revealing further details, he said the pilot project, which began in Australia would give doctors the opportunity to be more focused on cancer treatment.

"Although this will also increase the overall cost of cancer treatment, with this technology the results would be more accurate and patients will have a greater chance of healing.

"This has indirectly improved the quality and chances of curing cancer," he told reporters after opening International Pathology Day 2018 at the National Cancer Institute here today.

In the meantime, Dr Azman said the government would train more doctors in the field of pathology as it underpins every aspect of patient care.

 -- BERNAMA