Early cancer detection has moved up a notch with the government's whopping RM17 million investment on two Positron Emission Tornography scan machines (Pet-Scan).

Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek said the machine at the Putrajaya hospital will be operational at the end of this month. The first machine had been installed at the Penang hospital in March last year.

Other component parts required to support the operations cost another RM16 million.

"Those who want first-class treatment will have to pay RM7,500, while the second-class charge is RM5,500 and the third-class rate is RM500. This is the minimum charge (for bed and meals)," Chua said.

He was at the Putrajaya hospital this morning where the Queen officiated at a ceremony to launch the facility.

As patients will need to use the machine for at least 90 minutes, there will be a limit of five patients per day.

"With the technology, the diagnosis results are expected to contribute 30 percent more in healing cancers," he said.

Chua said the purchase of the equipment will also set in motion a proposal under the Ninth Malaysian Plan to establish a cancer research and diagnosis centre in Putrajaya.

Asked during a press conference about the ministry's efforts to reduce illegal abortions, he instead advised young adults to understand the importance of preventing unwanted pregnancies.

"The situation cannot be improved as long as the women go for illegal abortions. There is nothing the ministry can do," he added.

The newly-formed Asia Pacific Council on Contraception has claimed that 100,000 deaths occur a year due to unsafe abortions.