Malaysia is fighting back against lung cancer with a new screening campaign. As 95 per cent of cases within the country are detected in late stages, the need for this initiative is paramount.
At a Hilton Hotels Corporation Common Stock (NYSE: HLT) (ETR: HI91) location in Petaling Jaya on Wednesday, the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) launched its LungShield program. The Malaysian Ministry of Health and local insurance company MCIS Life are supporting the initiative.
LungShield will harness the lung cancer detection capabilities of AI-assisted X-ray tech developed by Qure.ai, low-dose CT scans, tissue biopsies and CT TAP (computed tomography scan of the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis) technology.
It is part of Malaysia’s Lung Health Initiative launched by the government this year. It will costs citizens 179 Malaysian ringgit per annum, equivalent to about US$42.50. The first 10,000 residents who sign up will only need to pay 129 ringgit.
When detected in its first stage, a patient has a five-year survival rate of 37 per cent, according to the National Cancer Society’s figures. In the fourth stage, that number drops to only 6 per cent.
It is the second most common cancer among men and third for women throughout the nation. Colorectal cancer is number one for men and breast is most prevalent for Malaysian women.
“Early detection saves lives and affordability makes early detection possible,” said MCIS Life CEO, Prasheem Seebran. “With LungShield, Malaysians now have access to both.”
The news coincides with a newly signed memorandum of understanding between the country’s Ministry of Health and the another local health insurance company: KPJ Healthcare Berhad. It aims to expand access to lung health services.
Those who sign up for the LungShield initiative will also benefit from insurance coverage valued at up to 10,000 ringgit.
“What began as a casual conversation 18 months ago about the gaps in lung screening has now blossomed into NCSM LungShield,” stated NCSM Ambassador, Ragunath Murthy. “Malaysia’s and maybe the world’s first-of-its-kind and micro insurance product for lung cancer under the National Lung Health Initiative.”
Sorotan Majlis Pelancaran NCSM LungShield, kerjasama antara National Cancer Society of Malaysia dan MCIS Life di bawah National Lung Health Initiative, yang disempurnakan oleh YB Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, Menteri Kesihatan pada 30 September 2025.
🩺 Fokus utama LungShield… pic.twitter.com/vIZDWuQNe1
— KKMalaysia🇲🇾🩺❤️ (@KKMPutrajaya) October 1, 2025
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Malaysia takes other steps to promote lung health
The country is planning to implement a total ban on vaporizers by mid-2026 in response to health concerns related to the devices. Six Malaysian states already have various restrictions in place: Pahang, Johor, Perlis, Kelantan, Kedah and Terengganu.
The move was announced by Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad on Sept. 25.
“The question is no longer if we ban vaping, but when,” the government official said in Cyberjaya.
Many health experts have linked vaporizers and e-cigarettes to increased rates of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute lung irritation. Chemicals present in the liquids they use are also highly questionable.
Malaysia will be joining Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Brunei, Laos and Vietnam in doing so. Approximately 1.5 million Malaysians currently use e-cigarettes.
“For too long, Malaysia has been out of step with surrounding countries which have banned vape and e-cigarettes,” said Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of Kuala Lumpur’s Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, in September.
However, those involved with the Malaysian vaping industry have warned that doing so could give rise to a black vaporizer market in the country while leaving about 25,000 citizens out of work.
Health Minister Ahmad also spearheaded the adoption of a landmark resolution titled “Promoting and Prioritizing an Integrated Lung Health Approach” at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland in May. This WHO-backed initiative aims to foster a unified global strategy for combatting lung diseases.
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