Drinking fern decoctions and using pigeon droppings to treat cancer may sound bizarre, yet such traditional remedies are still practiced by some communities today, often at the expense of modern, proven medical treatments.
Maznah Tayib, President of the Friends of Children with Cancer Northern Region (FOCCAN), said these beliefs persist, particularly when cancer is detected at an early stage.
“Many cases involve parents placing their trust in shamans, traditional remedies, or feeding their children only vegetables under the belief it ‘cleanses toxins.’ Unfortunately, the child becomes severely malnourished, weak, and unable to tolerate modern cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy,” she said during the “Illuminate Komtar with Golden Colors” program, held to mark the launch of Children’s Cancer Awareness Month at The Top @ Komtar yesterday.
Maznah highlighted that delaying medical treatment can have devastating consequences. Some children with late-detected bone cancer end up losing limbs, while brain cancer patients may suffer irreversible motor function damage.
From the beginning of this year until August, FOCCAN recorded 48 new pediatric cancer cases, five relapses, and four children undergoing bone marrow transplants. The latest case involved a one-month-old baby diagnosed with neuroblastoma.
“As a support organization, we provide not only motivation but also emotional and moral support to patients and their families,” Maznah said. “FOCCAN also actively raises awareness in communities to encourage early medical screenings for children, enabling cancer detection at an early stage.”
Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, Chairman of the Youth, Sports and Health Committee in Penang, emphasized that regular health screenings are crucial for early detection and significantly improve survival rates.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, approximately 400,000 children and adolescents under 19 are diagnosed with cancer worldwide each year.
“If cancer is detected early and treated with modern hospital methods, the survival rate for children can reach up to 80 percent,” he said. “Communities need to be aware that blind faith in traditional remedies or shamans can put children’s lives at risk.”
