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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians can avoid becoming cancer victims if they pay heed to the risk factors and lead healthier lifestyles, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Shirlin.

She cited activities like smoking, physical inactiveness and alcohol consumption as prime factors that lead to the deadly disease.

Infection by several types of viruses, such as human papiloma virus (HPV) and hepatitis B virus can also cause cancer.

HPV infection is the main risk factor of cervical cancer and hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) is one of the factors that cause liver cancer, said Rosnah in a statement here to mark World Cancer Day.

Rosnah said the theme of this year's event Cancer Did You Know? will focus on correcting misconceptions and improving people's knowledge about the dreaded disease.

She said over 12 million people worldwide will die from cancer by 2030 and all it takes for Malaysians to be free of the disease, the fourth biggest killer in the country, is awareness and early detection. Ministry statistics of that year showed lung cancer as being the biggest killer, accounting for 17.5% of cancer-related deaths. This was followed by breast cancer (10.2%) and colorectal cancer (8.5%).

Rosnah said a high percentage of cancer related deaths were attributed to late detection.

A third of all cancers are actually avoidable if detected early, she said, advising Malaysians to quit, or not to start smoking, maintain an ideal body weight, be physically active and reduce alcohol intake.

The percentage of cancer deaths in this country can be reduced if cancer is detected early and treatment immediately given, she said, calling on high-risk groups, such as people having a family member who had been diagnosed with cancer, to go for a screening.

Rosnah said breast cancer screening, through examination and mammograms, and cervical cancer screening, through pap smears, are available nationwide at all Health Ministry and National Population and Family Development health facilities.

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12. 'Lead healthier lifestyles'