KUALA LUMPUR, 18 MAY 2026 – Hospital Picaso transformed an evening at the cinema into a meaningful public health initiative with “Silent Signals, Powerful Insights: A Health Movie Night”, The event was aimed at raising awareness about colorectal and digestive health conditions which are often overlooked until they become serious.
The event took place at Aurum Theatre at The Garden with members of the public, insurance agents and corporate partners gathering together to understand the significance of digestive health and colorectal screening.
The sharing session also covered the role of bariatric surgery and provided practical guidance on when individuals should seek care from a General Surgeon or Upper Gastrointestinal (Upper GI) Surgeon, empowering audiences to make informed decisions.
This conversation comes at a time when colorectal health remains a pressing public issue. In August 2025, Cancer Matters reported that colorectal cancer is Malaysia’s second most common cancer, representing about 13.5% of new diagnoses, while The Borneo Post reported in April 2026 that awareness and early screening have become increasingly important as cases are being seen among younger individuals.
“Many people only seek medical attention when symptoms become disruptive or diagnoses feel unavoidable, but our goal is to encourage earlier, informed conversation,” said Dato Dr Luqman Mazlan, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon and Medical Director of Hospital Picaso.
“By combining education on screening, surgical pathways, and bariatric care, we hope to empower individuals to make confident, informed health decisions without fear or judgment.”
The sharing topic also included a topic on colorectal neoplasia, a spectrum of abnormal growths in the colon and rectum that is becoming an increasingly important public health concern in Malaysia. The doctors emphasised that many colorectal cancers develop silently over years and are highly preventable when abnormalities are identified and treated early.
Featuring Dr Chen Harn Chin and Dr Ho Shiaw Hooi, Consultant Gastroenterologists & Physicians, alongside Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeons Dato’ Dr Luqman Mazlan and Dr Chong Hoong Yin, the sessions also explored how lifestyle‑related factors such as low‑fibre diets, physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, and a family history of colorectal disease contribute to risk affecting not only older adults but an increasing number of working‑age individuals.
The specialists explained how screening tools such as colonoscopy detect polyps before they progress to cancer, what clinical pathways follow once lesions are found, and when referral to a General or Colorectal Surgeon becomes necessary.
Advances including AI‑assisted endoscopy and minimally invasive surgical techniques were also discussed, highlighting how modern approaches can support more accurate diagnosis, personalised treatment decisions, and faster recovery for suitable patients, reinforcing MOH’s call for earlier screening and informed health‑seeking behaviour.
With an interactive Think You Know Weight-Loss Surgery: Myth or Reality, quiz led by Consultant General, Upper Gastrointestinal & Obesity Surgeon, Dr Yeap Chee Loong with Consultant Gastrointestinal, Bariatric, & General Surgeon, Dr Cha Kar Huei, the specialists also addressed some common assumptions around bariatric surgery—including the belief that it is cosmetic, reversible in all cases, or removes the need for long-term lifestyle change.
This public education focus is especially relevant as obesity becomes a larger national health concern. In September 2025, The Star reported Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad as saying that the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 found 54.4% of Malaysian adults were overweight or obese, while 2025 screening figures pointed to more than 60% being either obese or overweight.
By placing these conversations in an environment that is familiar and engaging, Hospital Picaso aims to encourage a greater comfort in seeking early specialist advice, equipping them with the tools to make informed healthcare decisions.