Cancer is a malignant disease characterised by the growth of abnormal cells within the body. These cells can grow and attack any part of the body. Many cancer cases can be treated if detected early. Additionally, choosing the right cancer treatment hospital can be a supportive factor in recovery. So, how do you determine the right hospital for cancer treatment? Read this article for more information.

Before choosing the right cancer treatment hospital, you need to recognise some of the common cancer risk factors. There are also cancer risk factors that can be avoided and are modifiable. These avoidable risk factors have been shown to increase risk of developing cancer, such as:

• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Being overweight or obese
• Physical inactivity / sedentary lifestyle
• Sun exposure

In addition, some chronic infections are also risk factors. About 13% of globally diagnosed cancers are associated with carcinogenic infections, including Helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and Epstein-Barr virus. Hepatitis B and C viruses and certain types of HPV each increase the risk of liver and cervical cancer, respectively. HIV infection substantially increases the risk of cervical cancer.

Symptoms vary depending on the type of cancer and the affected organ. If you experience complaints similar to cancer symptoms, it is advisable to visit a cancer treatment hospital and consult with a cancer specialist. Some common complaints include:

• Persistent cough, breathlessness, chest pain and hoarse voice
• Changes in bowel pattern
• Unusual bleeding or discharge
• Lump in breast or other parts of body
• Changes in skin mole or a sore that does not heal
• Difficulty swallowing, chronic indigestion or abdominal discomfort
• Itchy or yellow skin
• Weight loss and bruising

When choosing a cancer treatment hospital, you can combine information from various sources to help you make the right decision. Here are some points to consider:

1. Recommendations: Seek recommendations from your doctor, family, friends, or others who have experienced cancer.
2. Multidisciplinary Team: Not many healthcare services use multidisciplinary teams to diagnose and treat cancer. The multidisciplinary team includes healthcare providers from various specialisations (disciplines), such as medical oncologists, oncology nurses, surgeons, radiation oncologists, and other service providers.
3. Hospital Experience: Experience is crucial. The more cancer patients a hospital has treated, the better the experience. You can also find out the recovery ratio of cancer patients undergoing treatment there.
4. Accepts Insurance: Another factor to consider before choosing the best cancer treatment hospital is related to the quality of service, transportation, and insurance coverage. Not all doctors and hospitals are covered by all health insurance packages. With the high cost of cancer treatment, choose treatment from doctors and hospitals covered by your health insurance plan.

If you still cannot determine the best cancer treatment hospital for yourself or your family, you can choose hospitals affiliated with IHH Healthcare Malaysia. We have hospitals with centres of excellence in cancer at various locations. Supported by a multidisciplinary, experienced, and dedicated team, we are ready to serve you to achieve recovery.