KOTA SAMARAHAN: Three villages in Bau, Lundu, and Sebuyau were chosen by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to participate in the Mobile Mouth Screening Anywhere (MeMoSA) application pilot project, which began in December last year.
The villages of Kampung Peros in Bau, Kampung Pasir Hulu in Lundu, and Kampung Entangor in Sebuyau were selected for the project, spearheaded by Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY).
MeMoSA, a smartphone application, is designed to enhance patient management by supporting the early detection of oral cancer through a network of healthcare providers.
MoH’s senior director of dental health, Dr. Noormi Othman, said the annual observance of Oral Cancer Awareness Month (OCAM) serves as a means to increase community awareness of oral cancer, encourages self-care and empowerment to mitigate its risk.
“Oral cancer is among the few cancers that can be identified early through oral examinations,” she said at the OCAM closing ceremony held at The Summer Mall here today (Feb 25).
She also shared insights from the National Cancer Registry, revealing that up to 63 per cent of oral cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage.
“With the introduction of the MeMoSA app, the MoH aims to boost the rate of early-stage oral cancer detection by 30 per cent, aligning with the objectives of the National Oral Health Strategic Plan 2022-2023,” she added.
