The Ministry of Health will continue to work with the Brunei Cancer Centre, TBCC in offering the best cancer treatment services for cancer patients and families. Cooperation from all levels of society including educational institutions, associations, non-governmental organisations, NGOs and grassroots leaders in the management of cancer patients is vital to reduce the effects of cancer. The matters are among those contained in the message in conjunction with the World Cancer Day 2023 celebration, themed ‘Closing the Care Gap’. The Minister of Health explained that about 30 to 50 percent of deaths from cancer can be prevented and it is linked to some risky behaviors and practices.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Md Isham bin Haji Jaafar also said that according to statistics obtained from the Brunei Darussalam Cancer Registry, BDCR in 2021, there were 294 deaths from cancer and 682 new cases were diagnosed with cancer in that year.
At the individual level, the public is advised to practice a healthy lifestyle by stop smoking and avoid exposure to cigarette smoke; maintaining a healthy body weight consistently, practicing a healthy and balanced diet including ensuring sufficient of fruits and vegetables every day and reducing excessive fatty diet and increasing physical activity at least 30 minutes a day, five times or more in a week.
The Ministry of Health has also published the second edition of the National Physical Activity Guidelines which contain information and recommendations based on scientific evidence to reduce sedentary behaviour that can be used as a guide to the public. The Ministry of Health is also promoting a collective campaign namely BN on the Move, an initiative to count the steps taken to achieve the target steps set from time to time. The campaign is hoped to increase physical activity and further foster an active culture among the people and residents of Brunei Darussalam.
Source: Radio Television Brunei