KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — The Health Ministry has launched the National Liver Health Initiative Roadmap 2026–2030 to strengthen early detection of liver disease, often described as a ‘silent killer’ because it is frequently diagnosed only at an advanced stage.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said liver cancer was the fifth most common cancer in Malaysia, with an incidence rate of 8.8 cases per 100,000 men and 2.6 cases per 100,000 women between 2022 and 2024.
"This roadmap provides a framework for integrated liver disease management, covering prevention, targeted screening, accurate diagnosis, specialist treatment and continuous monitoring," he said.
He said this in his speech at the launch of Liver Cancer Awareness Day 2026 at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), here yesterday.
Dzulkefly said Malaysia was prepared to bring the liver health agenda to the international stage at the 80th World Health Assembly (WHA80), following the country's earlier success in spearheading the Lung Health Initiative.
He also expressed his intention to modernise healthcare delivery, including establishing a Health Services Commission to facilitate integration between the Health Ministry, Higher Education Ministry and related agencies under the Madani government.
Meanwhile, UKM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Partnerships) Prof Dr Bariah Mohd Ali said liver cancer was often described as a ‘silent killer’ because the disease typically showed no obvious symptoms until it had reached an advanced stage.
She said factors that could increase the risk of liver cancer included hepatitis B and C infections, fatty liver disease, metabolic disorders and unhealthy lifestyles.
"Liver cancer is often a 'silent killer' because nearly 70 per cent of cases are only detected at Stage 4, significantly limiting opportunities for treatment at an earlier stage.
"Therefore, campaigns such as this are important in changing public perceptions of liver health and raising awareness of the importance of early detection," she said.
Dr Bariah said UKM was committed to connecting academic expertise, researchers and clinical services with the community to broaden public knowledge and awareness of liver health.
She expressed hope that these efforts would encourage people to recognise risk factors and undergo appropriate screening to prevent liver disease from progressing to more serious stages.
