KUCHING: Cancer is on the rise in Sarawak, with over 3,000 new cases diagnosed at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) here last year, says Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.

He said this was higher than the previous years' average of 2,000 cases.

He also said that over 500 of the new cases involved breast cancer.

"Every year, the number of cancer cases increases. Last year was the first time that SGH had more than 3,000 new cases," he told reporters after launching the Empower Her funding programme for breast cancer patients at the hospital on Monday (March 17).

Dr Sim called for more efforts to address cancer, especially in terms of diagnosis and treatment.

"About 70% of cases are diagnosed late, which means treatment will cost more and the chances of survival are lower," he said.

As such, he welcomed the Empower Her programme, a collaboration between Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) and Roche Pharmaceuticals Malaysia, to improve access to cancer care for financially challenged patients through a co-funding approach.

A memorandum of understanding was also signed to launch the programme on Monday.

The programme aims to provide equitable, timely and sustainable access to treatment for early-stage breast cancer patients.

An initial group of 10 patients from the lower M40 and B40 income groups will receive fully-funded cancer treatment at public hospitals in Sarawak under the programme.