At least one in two Malaysians diagnosed with cancer suffer from a ‘financial meltdown’ a year after being diagnosed, a Sydney-based George Institute for Global Health study said.

This means medical costs exceeds a third of the household income, the institute said.

While those opting for public healthcare would see a dramatic reduction in costs of up to 70 percent less, this too, could run into the tens of thousands of ringgit.

As cost of cancer treatment spiral out of affordability, the nonprofit sector plays a key role in ensuring those in need receive care.