Adib Noor
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the number one cancer diagnosed among men and the second highest for women in the country. About 70 per cent of these cases were diagnosed at stage 2 and above.
This was shared by the Medical Officer at Noncommunicable Disease Prevention Unit, Ministry of Health Dr Siti Zuhrini Haji Kahan during a health campaign held at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in the capital yesterday.
CRC screening is one of the four types of screening offered under the National Health Screening Programme (NHSP) conducted by the Ministry of Health which is available in all health centres in the country.
The event, organised by third year medical students from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), was held to coincide with the Bandar KuCeria programme. The event was aimed at raising awareness on CRC and its screening to promote prevention and early detection.
Members of the public can find out more on CRC screening at all government health centres and clinics nationwide. Those in the Temburong District can find more information about CRC screening at the Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Hospital.
Visitors learnt more about CRC and participated in activities such as quizzes and explored a giant inflatable colon model, which was part of the exhibit.
“We want it to be highly interactive and engaging for members of the public where they can even win prizes by taking part in the activities,” shared a third year medical student Mohammad Khifli bin Abu Bakar.
Another third year medical student Alya Syahirah binti Haji Md Ali said the campaign provided the public reliable information on the disease.
“We want to empower the public to practice preventive measures and live a healthy life, and to encourage those within the recommended age of 50 to go for screening,” she added.
The UBD medical students said the campaign is part of their third year project which aims to assess whether there is an improvement in knowledge and awareness following their interventions, measured through the use of pre- and post-questionnaires, which participants were required to fill out.
