Colorectal Cancer In Malaysia Research Articles

Predictive Analytics of Comparison Fuzzy Modelling Towards Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer in Malaysia

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a cancer that begins in the colon and rectum of the human body and is the third leading cause of death among cancer patients. Colorectal cancer develops when cells in the body begin to proliferate uncontrollably with such symptoms. However, the high-risk symptoms of CRC in Malaysia are still ambiguous and unclear. The problem of using linear regression arises with the use of uncertain and imprecise data. Since the fuzzy set theory’s concept can deal with data not to a precise point value (uncertainty data), this study uses comparison fuzzy modelling as predictive analytics to predict the high-risk symptoms that contribute to the development of colorectal cancer in Malaysia. Secondary data of 180 colorectal cancer patients who received treatment in a general hospital with seventeen independent variables with different combinations of variable types were considered. Other than that, the parameter, error, and explanation for the model were included using two measurement statistical errors. Fuzzy linear regression with symmetric parameters found ovarian symptom is the high-risk symptom to develop colorectal cancer. The weightage value is 25.73, with the results of the least value of the mean square error (MSE) value being 98.212 and the root mean square error (RMSE) value being 9.910.

Testing the validity of a new scale designed to assess beliefs and perceptions about colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer screening in Malaysia: a principal component analysis

ObjectiveTo conduct a cultural adaptation and validation of the Champion Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening (CHBMS-CRC-M) in order to assess and investigate perceptions and beliefs...

Spatial clustering of colorectal cancer in Malaysia.

The rise in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence becomes a global concern. As geographical variations in the CRC incidence suggests the role of area-level determinants, the current study was designed to identify the spatial distribution pattern of CRC at the neighbourhood level in Malaysia. Newly diagnosed CRC cases between 2010 and 2016 in Malaysia were identified from the National Cancer Registry. Residential addresses were geocoded. Clustering analysis was subsequently performed to examine the spatial dependence between CRC cases. Differences in socio-demographic characteristics of individuals between the clusters were also compared. Identified clusters were categorized into urban and semi-rural areas based on the population background. Most of the 18 405 individuals included in the study were male (56%), aged between 60 and 69 years (30.3%) and only presented for care at stages 3 or 4 of the disease (71.3%). The states shown to have CRC clusters were Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Johor, Kelantan, and Sarawak. The spatial autocorrelation detected a significant clustering pattern (Moran's Index 0.244, p< 0.01, Z score >2.58). CRC clusters in Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Johor, and Sarawak were in urbanized areas, while those in Kedah, Perak and Kelantan were in semi-rural areas. The presence of several clusters in urbanized and semi-rural areas implied the role of ecological determinants at the neighbourhood level in Malaysia. Such findings could be used to guide the policymakers in resource allocation and cancer control.

Incidence and clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer among multi-ethnic patients in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: a hospital-based retrospective analysis over two decades.

BackgroundThe incidence rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Asian countries is increasing. Furthermore, recent studies have shown a concerning rise in the incidence of CRC among younger patients aged less than 50 years. This study aimed to analyze the incidence trends and clinicopathological features in patients with early-onset CRC (EOCRC) and later-onset CRC (at age ≥ 50 years).MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 946 patients with CRC diagnosed from 1997 to 2017 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. The time trend was assessed by dividing the two decades into four 5-year periods. The mean age-standardized and age-specific incidence rates were calculated by using the 5-year cumulative population of Kuala Lumpur and World Health Organization standard population. The mean incidence was expressed per 100,000 person-years.ResultsAfter a stable (all age groups) CRC incidence rate during the first decade (3.00 per 100,000 and 3.85 per 100,000), it sharply increased to 6.12 per 100,000 in the 2008–2012 period before decreasing to 4.54 per 100,000 in the 2013–2017 period. The CRC incidence trend in later-onset CRC showed a decrease in the 2013–2017 period. Contrariwise, for age groups of 40–44 and 45–49 years, the trends showed an increase in the latter 15 years of the study period (40–44 years: 1.44 to 1.92 to 2.3 per 100,000; 45–49 years: 2.87 to 2.94 to 4.01 per 100,000). Malays’ EOCRC incidence rate increased from 2008–2012 to 2013–2017 for both the age groups 40–44 years (1.46 to 2.89 per 100,000) and 45–49 years (2.73 to 6.51 per 100,000). Nearly one-fifth of EOCRC cases were diagnosed at an advanced stage (Dukes D: 19.9%), and the majority of them had rectal cancer (72.8%).ConclusionThe incidence of EOCRC increased over the period 1997–2017; the patients were predominantly Malays, diagnosed at a later stage, and with cancer commonly localized in the rectal region. All the relevant stakeholders need to work on the management and prevention of CRC in Malaysia.

Spatial Variation of Survival for Colorectal Cancer in Malaysia.

A patient’s survival may depend on several known and unknown factors and it may also vary spatially across a region. Socioeconomic status, accessibility to healthcare and other environmental factors are likely to contribute to survival rates. The aim of the study was to model the spatial variation in survival for colorectal cancer patients in Malaysia, accounting for individual and socioeconomic risk factors. We conducted a retrospective study of 4412 colorectal cancer (ICD-10, C18-C20) patients diagnosed from 2008 to 2013 to model survival in CRC patients. We used the data recorded in the database of the Malaysian National Cancer Patient Registry-Colorectal Cancer (NCPR-CRC). Spatial location was assigned based on the patients’ central district location, which involves 144 administrative districts of Malaysia. We fitted a parametric proportional hazards model in which the spatially correlated frailties were modelled by a log-Gaussian stochastic process to analyse the spatially referenced survival data, which is also known as a spatial survival model. After controlling for individual and area level characteristics, our findings indicate wide spatial variation in colorectal cancer survival across Malaysia. Better healthcare provision and higher socioeconomic index in the districts where patients live decreased the risk of death from colorectal cancer, but these associations were not statistically significant. Reliable measurement of environmental factors is needed to provide good insight into the effects of potential risk factors for the disease. For example, a better metric is needed to measure socioeconomic status and accessibility to healthcare in the country. The findings provide new information that might be of use to the Ministry of Health in identifying populations with an increased risk of poor survival, and for planning and providing cancer control services.

First Feasibility Study and Short-term Outcomes of Laparoscopic-Assisted Anterior Resection in Colorectal Cancer in Malaysia.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic-assisted anterior resection (LAAR) for colorectal cancer in a local Asian population.MethodsThis is a retrospective review of all patients with colorectal cancer operated from November 2017 to October 2018. Main variables of interest were demography, type and surgery, length of stay (LOS), and the involvement of proximal and distal doughnut. Postoperative complications were analysed using chi-square or Fisher exact and Mann-Whitney tests.ResultsThere were 23 patients with a mean age of 62.5 ± 12.2 years. The mean time from diagnosis to surgery was 97.1 ± 154.84 days. There were 12 patients in the LAAR group and 11 in the open anterior resection (OAR) group. Duration of surgery was shorter in OAR (129.58 ± 51.38 minutes) compared to LAAR (147.91 ± 39.37 minutes). Mean LOS was shorter in the LAAR group with 5±1.5 days compared to the OAR group of 7.42 ± 4.25 days. However, there was no significant P-value for both duration of surgery (P = 0.322) or LOS (P = 0.87). A total of 3 complications were recorded after OAR and 2 after LAAR. Both groups had clear proximal and distal margins with 16 (12–18.5) harvested lymph nodes in LAAR and 18 (16–22) in OAR, which were equal (P = 0.155).ConclusionThis study reports a shorter LOS in the minimally invasive group of 2 days with similar oncologic resection outcomes. This shows that LAAR is feasible in Malaysia and has potential outcome benefits.

The effect of individual-level factors in survival prognosis for colorectal cancer in Malaysia

Background: In Malaysia, colorectal cancer is the second most common type of cancer for both sexes, represents 10.2% of total cancer cases in Malaysia. This study aims to identify the effect of individual-level factors on survival prognosis for patients with colorectal cancer in Malaysia.Methods: The study involved 4412 of colorectal cancer patients in Malaysia with histologically verified primary colorectal cancer, diagnosed between 2008 and 2013 (ICD-10, C18-C20), recorded in the database of National Cancer Patient Registry- Colorectal Cancer (NCPR-CC) Malaysia. We investigated the effect of individual characteristics such as age, gender, education as well as clinical characteristics such as cancer staging, cancer site and treatment modalities on survival prognosis after a diagnosis of colorectal cancer using a Cox regression survival model.Results: Patients diagnosed at stage IV had an almost 6-fold greater risk of dying from colorectal cancer than those with stage I. Age, third-degree education, poor tumour differentiation, the presence of distant metastases and receiving ‘other’ treatments were the other factors that increased the risk of death for colorectal cancer patients in Malaysian population.Conclusions: Our analysis revealed that the severity of the disease lead to poor prognosis in colorectal cancer in the population after adjusting for other individual characteristics. Health education programs targeting high risk group and emphasizing the importance of early detection of cancer as well as knowledge on the importance of cancer treatment should be implemented. Formulation of a better screening program needs to be extended so that it is a genuinely national program.

Increasing Trend in the Incidence of Colorectal Cancer on Malaysia

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Malaysia (13.2%). Aim: To study the epidemiologic trend of colorectal cancer in Malaysia and to suggest the strategy in reducing the incidence of CRC in Malaysia. Methods: Total of 13,693 cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in 2007-2011 were extracted from the Malaysian National Cancer Registry (MNCR). MNCR is a population-based cancer registry which collects data from all government and private facilities (hospitals, clinics, laboratories, National Registration Department and Health Informatics, MOH) by passive notification and active case findings. The registry registers all new cancer cases among Malaysian citizen diagnosed in Malaysia into CanReg4 software. Data were explored using IARC tools and analyzed using CanReg4 software. Results: 55.8% of the colorectal cancer cases were in male and 44.2% in female. ASR was 14.6 per 100,000 population for male and 11.1 per 100,000 populations for female. The male to female ASR ratio was 1.3:1. The 5-years trend shows increasing incidence for both gender. The age-specific incidence rates of the cases were between 45 to 75 years old. The lifetime risk for males was 1 in 56 and in females was 1 in 74. Majority of the cancer were detected among Chinese followed by Malays and Indians. 66% of the colorectal cancer presented at advanced stage (stage 3 and 4) in males and 65% in female. Conclusion: The trend of colorectal cancer is increasing in Malaysia and most of the cancer cases were diagnosed at late stage. To increase the detection rate of CRC at early stage, Ministry of Health Malaysia has introduce screening program using immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) since 2013. Tremendous campaigns also being carry out in the community to create awareness on the importance of colorectal cancer screening for early detection and treatment hence improved the survival.

The \u2018Be Cancer Alert Campaign\u2019: protocol to evaluate a mass media campaign to raise awareness about breast and colorectal cancer in Malaysia

BackgroundBreast and colorectal cancer are the two most common cancers in Malaysia. Low awareness coupled with stigma and erroneous beliefs delay help-seeking behaviours, lead to late presentation and contribute to poor detection rates. Promoting cancer awareness through mass media may be effective in improving cancer-related knowledge and uptake in screening tests. However, research is sparse regarding the cultural translation and implementation of mass media campaigns in Malaysia (and Asia) in terms of raising awareness about colorectal and breast cancer.MethodsA collaborative partnership comprising researchers from Malaysia and the UK as well as policy makers, public health experts and non-government organisations from Malaysia was formed to design, deliver and evaluate the Be Cancer Alert Campaign. Each awareness-raising campaign will run for five weeks (Colorectal Cancer in April 2018, followed by Breast Cancer in October 2018). Evaluation of the campaigns will take place in Gombak district (Colorectal Cancer) and Petaling district (Breast Cancer) respectively, in the form of a pre-post randomly selected household survey and collection of service utilisation data. Occupants who are aged 40-years and above and are able to answer questions independently will be selected from each household. A sample of 730 with 80% power will detect a change of 6.09% in knowledge that unexplained lump or swelling is a symptom of breast cancer or changes in bowel habits is a symptom of colorectal cancer.DiscussionMalaysia and most South-East Asian countries have a low middle-income economy, with limited resources for cancer control. Late-staged cancers impose a significant economic burden on patients, households, communities, employers, health systems and governments. Our proposed strategy for the implementation of the culturally sensitive mass media cancer awareness-raising campaign will serve as a blueprint for cancer prevention and control policy in South-East Asian countries where the burden of cancer is increasing and there are high cancer death rates.

Understanding colorectal cancer in Malaysia: A mini-review and pioneering colorectal cancer awareness, screening and treatment project

Colorectal cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It has been identified as the most common cancer in men and second most common cancer in women in Malaysia. This mini-review is meant to present the current state and overview of colorectal cancer in Malaysia. Our efforts through EMPOWERED, The Cancer Advocacy Society of Malaysia to reduce the toll of colorectal cancer through a customised annual Colorectal Cancer Awareness, Screening and Treatment Project with high compliances are also briefly summarised.

Immediately modifiable risk factors attributable to colorectal cancer in Malaysia

BackgroundThis study aimed to estimate potential reductions in case incidence of colorectal cancer attributable to the modifiable risk factors such as alcohol consumption, overweight and physical inactivity amongst the Malaysian population.MethodsGender specific population-attributable fractions (PAFs) for colorectal cancer in Malaysia were estimated for the three selected risk factors (physical inactivity, overweight, and alcohol consumptions). Exposure prevalence were sourced from a large-scale national representative survey. Risk estimates of the relationship between the exposure of interest and colorectal cancer were obtained from published meta-analyses. The overall PAF was then estimated, using the 2013 national cancer incidence data from the Malaysian Cancer Registry.ResultsOverall, the mean incidence rate for colorectal cancer in Malaysia from 2008 to 2013 was 21.3 per 100,000 population, with the mean age of 61.6 years (±12.7) and the majority were men (56.6%). Amongst 369 colorectal cancer cases in 2013, 40 cases (20 men, 20 women), 10 cases (9 men, 1 woman) or 20 cases (16 men,4 women) would be prevented, if they had done physical exercises, could reduce their body weight to normal level or avoided alcohol consumption, assuming that these factors are causally related to colorectal cancer. It was estimated that 66 (17.8%;66/369) colorectal cancer cases (42 men, 24 women) who had all these three risk factors for the last 10 years would have been prevented, if they could control these three risk factors through effective preventive measures.ConclusionsFindings suggest that approximately 18% of colorectal cancer cases in Malaysia would be prevented through appropriate preventive measures such as doing regular physical exercises, reducing their body weight to normal level and avoiding alcohol consumption, if these factors are causally related to colorectal cancer. Scaling-up nationwide public health campaigns tailored to increase physical activity, controlling body weight within normal limits and avoid alcohol intake are recommended. Future studies with other site-specific cancers and additional risk factors are needed.

Colorectal cancer in Malaysia: Its burden and implications for a multiethnic country

This study aims to provide an analytical overview of the changing burden of colorectal cancer and highlight the implementable control measures that can help reduce the future burden of colorectal cancer in Malaysia. We performed a MEDLINE search via OVID with the ​Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms "Colorectal Neoplasms"[Mesh] and "Malaysia"[Mesh], and PubMed with the key words "colorectal cancer" and "Malaysia" from 1990 to 2015 for studies reporting any clinical, societal, and economical findings associated with colorectal cancer in Malaysia. Incidence and mortality data were retrieved from population-based cancer registries/databases. In Malaysia, colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in males and the third most common cancer in females. The economic burden of colorectal cancer is substantial and is likely to increase over time in Malaysia owing to the current trend in colorectal cancer incidence. In Malaysia, most patients with colorectal cancer have been diagnosed at a late stage, with the 5-year relative survival by stage being lower than that in developed Asian countries. Public awareness of the rising incidence of colorectal cancer and the participation rates for colorectal cancer screening are low. The efficiency of different screening approaches must be assessed, and an organized national screening program should be developed in a phased manner. It is essential to maintain a balanced investment in awareness programs targeting general population and primary care providers, focused on increasing the knowledge on symptoms and risk factors of colorectal cancer, awareness on benefits of screening, and promotion of healthy life styles to prevent this important disease.

Incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer in Malaysia.

OBJECTIVESThis is the first study that estimates the incidence and mortality rate for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in Malaysia by sex and ethnicity.METHODSThe 4,501 patients were selected from National Cancer Patient Registry-Colorectal Cancer data. Patient survival status was cross-checked with the National Registration Department. The age-standardised rate (ASR) was calculated as the proportion of CRC cases (incidence) and deaths (mortality) from 2008 to 2013, weighted by the age structure of the population, as determined by the Department of Statistics Malaysia and the World Health Organization world standard population distribution.RESULTSThe overall incidence rate for CRC was 21.32 cases per 100,000. Those of Chinese ethnicity had the highest CRC incidence (27.35), followed by the Malay (18.95), and Indian (17.55) ethnicities. The ASR incidence rate of CRC was 1.33 times higher among males than females (24.16 and 18.14 per 100,000, respectively). The 2011 (44.7%) CRC deaths were recorded. The overall ASR of mortality was 9.79 cases, with 11.85 among the Chinese, followed by 9.56 among the Malays and 7.08 among the Indians. The ASR of mortality was 1.42 times higher among males (11.46) than females (8.05).CONCLUSIONSCRC incidence and mortality is higher in males than females. Individuals of Chinese ethnicity have the highest incidence of CRC, followed by the Malay and Indian ethnicities. The same trends were observed for the age-standardised mortality rate.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Screening Preference: A Survey during the Malaysian World Digestive Day Campaign.

Although the incidence of colorectal cancer in Malaysia is increasing, awareness of this cancer, including its symptoms, risk factors and screening methods, remains low among Malaysian populations. This survey was conducted with the aim of (i) ascertaining the awareness level regarding colorectal cancer symptoms, risk factors and its screening among the general populations and (ii) assessing the public preference and willingness to pay for colorectal cancer screening. The questionnaire was distributed in eight major cities in West Malaysia during the World Health Digestive Day (WDHD) campaign. Two thousand four hundred and eight respondents participated in this survey. Generally, awareness of colorectal cancer was found to be relatively good. Symptoms such as change in bowel habit, blood in the stool, weight loss and abdominal pain were well recognized by 86.6%, 86.9%, 83.4% and 85.6% of the respondents, respectively. However, common risk factors such as positive family history, obesity and old age were acknowledged only by less than 70% of the respondents. Almost 80% of the respondents are willing to take the screening test even without any apparent symptoms. Colonoscopy is the preferred screening method, but only 37.5% were willing to pay from their own pocket to get early colonoscopy. Continous cancer education should be promoted with more involvement from healthcare providers in order to make future colorectal cancer screening programs successful.

Molecular alterations of Ras‐Raf‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase‐Akt signaling pathways in colorectal cancers from a tertiary hospital at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Molecular alterations in KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, and PTEN have been implicated in designing targeted therapy for colorectal cancer (CRC). The present study aimed to determine the status of these molecular alterations in Malaysian CRCs as such data are not available in the literature. We investigated the mutations of KRAS, BRAF, and PTEN, the gene amplification of PIK3CA, and the protein expression of PTEN and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) catalytic subunit (p110α) by direct DNA sequencing, quantitative real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry, respectively, in 49 CRC samples. The frequency of KRAS (codons 12, 13, and 61), BRAF (V600E), and PTEN mutations, and PIK3CA amplification was 25.0% (11/44), 2.3% (1/43), 0.0% (0/43), and 76.7% (33/43), respectively. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated loss of PTEN protein in 54.5% (24/44) of CRCs and no significant difference in PI3K p110α expression between CRCs and the adjacent normal colonic mucosa (p = 0.380). PIK3CA amplification was not associated with PI3K p110α expression level, but associated with male cases (100% of male cases vs 56% of female cases harbored amplified PIK3CA, p = 0.002). PI3K p110α expression was significantly higher (p = 0.041) in poorly/moderately differentiated carcinoma compared with well-differentiated carcinoma. KRAS mutation, PIK3CA amplification, PTEN loss, and PI3K p110α expression did not correlate with Akt phosphorylation or Ki-67 expression. KRAS mutation, PIK3CA amplification, and PTEN loss were not mutually exclusive. This is the first report on CRC in Malaysia showing comparable frequency of KRAS mutation and PTEN loss, lower BRAF mutation rate, higher PIK3CA amplification frequency, and rare PTEN mutation, as compared with published reports.

Economic evaluation of monoclonal antibody in the management of colorectal cancer in Malaysia

The introduction of monoclonal antibody in the management of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) in the rapidly rising healthcare cost environment prompt a proper evaluation of its cost effectiveness especially to the local setting. The rising incidence of CRC in Malaysia also justifies a detailed evaluation on its economic impact. This study aims to determine the cost of CRC management and to compare the cost effectiveness of monoclonal antibody with conventional chemotherapy in the management of CRC.

A case-controlled validation study of a blood-based seven-gene biomarker panel for colorectal cancer in Malaysia.

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) screening is key to CRC prevention and mortality reduction, but patient compliance with CRC screening is low. We previously reported a blood-based test for CRC that utilizes a seven-gene panel of biomarkers. The test is currently utilized clinically in North America for CRC risk stratification in the average-risk North American population in order to improve screening compliance and to enhance clinical decision making.MethodsIn this study, conducted in Malaysia, we evaluated the seven-gene biomarker panel validated in a North American population using blood samples collected from local patients. The panel employs quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) to analyze gene expression of the seven biomarkers (ANXA3, CLEC4D, TNFAIP6, LMNB1, PRRG4, VNN1 and IL2RB) that are differentially expressed in CRC patients as compared with controls. Blood samples from 210 patients (99 CRC and 111 controls) were collected, and total blood RNA was isolated and subjected to quantitative RT-PCR and data analysis.ResultsThe logistic regression analysis of seven-gene panel has an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.76 (95% confidence interval: 0.70 to 0.82), 77% specificity, 61% sensitivity and 70% accuracy, comparable to the data obtained from the North American investigation of the same biomarker panel.ConclusionsOur results independently confirm the results of the study conducted in North America and demonstrate the ability of the seven biomarker panel to discriminate CRC from controls in blood samples drawn from a Malaysian population.