Kuala lumpur: Bandar Sunway The Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah today emphasised the critical need to address environmental pollution and its link to cancer rates, warning that industrial growth must not outpace safeguards meant to protect public health.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, His Royal Highness said that cancer prevention can no longer focus solely on smoking and lifestyle habits, but must honestly address industrial emissions, vehicle exhausts and water contamination. The Sultan highlighted that pollution had been linked to several types of cancer, including childhood leukaemia as well as lung, bladder, and breast cancers among adults exposed to pollutants over long periods.

Sultan Nazrin made these remarks during the opening of the National Cancer Congress Malaysia (NCCM) 2026, themed 'Bridging Gaps, Building Hope, Empowering Lives', which was jointly organised by the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) and Sunway University at Bandar Sunway. He urged Malaysia to learn from the emergence of 'cancer alleys' in countries like the United States, South Africa, China, and regions like the Niger Delta in West Africa, where rapid industrial expansion has often outpaced public health safeguards.

Highlighting London's Ultra Low Emission Zone as a model, Sultan Nazrin noted the significant improvements in public health achieved through reduced toxic vehicle emissions, demonstrating that pollution and disease are not inevitable consequences of modern life. He urged that Malaysia, with its natural resources and young industries, could implement similar measures to protect future generations.

The Sultan also praised local scientific initiatives such as Programme ROSE, developed by Universiti Malaya researchers, as a testament to Malaysian innovation in cancer prevention. He advocated for accessible early detection programmes, stressing their importance as 'one of the best investments' in public health.

Furthermore, Sultan Nazrin emphasised that Malaysia's approach to cancer should be measured not just by survival rates but also by the quality of life offered to patients and caregivers. He called for continued research, evidence-based policymaking, and collective responsibility in cancer prevention, underscoring that collaboration is vital in the fight against the disease.