CRC is on the Rise in Malaysia and Asia
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is now Malaysia’s second most common cancer, accounting for 13.5% of all new cancer cases between 2012 and 2016 (1). It is the most common cancer among men and the second most common among women—particularly affecting those aged 35 to 64 (2).
The highest incidence is seen among the Chinese population in Malaysia (3), and rates are rapidly rising across Asia due to increasingly Westernized diets and lifestyles (4).
While CRC often develops silently and is diagnosed late, many cases are preventable with timely screening, lifestyle changes, and cutting-edge science (5).
To help you take action, we spoke to Prof. Francis Chan, an award-winning gastroenterologist and Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is also the founder of G-NiiB, a pioneering microbiome biotech company focused on gut health and cancer prevention.
Why You Should Be Concerned About CRC
- CRC accounts for 13.5% of all cancers in Malaysia
- Over 70% of CRC cases are diagnosed at late stages (Stage 3 or 4)
- CRC is most common in men aged 55–64 and increasingly seen in women aged 35–64
- Early symptoms are vague or absent—by the time there’s bleeding or bowel changes, the disease is often advanced
Prof. Chan’s Top 5 Tips to Help Prevent Colorectal Cancer
1. Prioritize Your Gut Microbiome
“We can’t change our genes, but we can change our gut microbiome—and that holds tremendous potential to prevent diseases like colorectal cancer,” says Prof. Chan.
Watch the video snippet here:
2. Get Screened After Age 45
CRC often develops from polyps that can be detected and removed early. Prof. Chan recommends regular screening via stool test, blood test, or colonoscopy—especially if you’re over 45.
3. Improve Your Diet
Avoid red meat, processed foods, and additives. Eat more fibre, vegetables, and fermented foods. These nourish the good bacteria in your gut and lower your cancer risk (6).
4. Avoid Smoking & Excessive Alcohol
Lifestyle habits play a direct role in cancer risk. Smoking and heavy alcohol use disrupt the gut microbiome and increase inflammation.
5. Consider Clinically-Proven Probiotics
Probiotics can reshape your gut microbiome. SMT04, developed by Prof. Chan’s team, is shown to reduce cancer-causing bacteria and support gut health.
Watch the video snippet here:
Why the Gut Microbiome Matters
Prof. Chan calls the gut microbiome our “second brain.”
“It controls immunity, mood, metabolism—and plays a central role in diseases like autism, dementia, and cancer.”
Watch the video snippet here:
From Poop to Powerful Data
Prof. Chan jokingly refers to himself as a “poop doctor”—but for good reason.
“What we once saw as waste is actually a goldmine of genetic data,” he says. “Even a tiny stool sample holds billions of clues about our gut health.”
Over the years, his team has built one of the world’s largest Asian-specific microbiome data banks. This is key because gut bacteria in Asian populations differ significantly from those in the West—meaning Western research often doesn’t apply here.
Their data has helped unlock powerful insights into disease prevention, gut health, and the development of precision probiotics like SMT04.
Watch the video snippet here:
How SMT04 Works to prevent CRC
Backed by metagenomic analysis of one of Asia’s largest microbiome datasets, Prof. Chan and his team at CUHK developed SMT04—a next-generation probiotic formula designed to help prevent colorectal cancer.
“We’ve identified specific bacterial strains that suppress the growth of colon cancer cells,” explains Prof. Chan. “Early trial results are very encouraging.”
SMT04 combines clinically validated, food-grade probiotic strains—including two types of Streptococcus thermophilus with proven anti-cancer properties. These were selected using advanced AI and microbiome profiling tailored to Asian populations.
A multinational clinical trial is now underway to confirm whether SMT04 can reduce the risk of polyps—the precursors to most CRC cases.
To ensure maximum efficacy, SMT04 uses patented Italian Microencapsulation Technology, which protects the live bacteria from stomach acid so they reach the colon alive—where they’re needed most.
Watch the video snippet here:
Real Results: A Life-Saving Case
One patient’s story shows just how effective SMT04 can be in real life.
Watch the video snippet here:
SMT04 Results at a Glance
✔️ 83.3% reduction in harmful gut bacteria (after 3 months) (7).
✔️ 42.6% increase in good bacteria (in 4 weeks)
✔️ 33.3% improvement in gut barrier (reduced “leaky gut”)
Start Protecting Your Gut Today
Take charge of your gut health today. Support your immunity, protect against CRC, and make SMT04 part of your prevention plan.
Watch the full interview here:
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References:
[2] Common Cancer in Malaysia | Gleneagles Hospital
[3] Colorectal cancer: Most common cancer in men
[4] Xi Y, Xu P. Global colorectal cancer burden in 2020 and projections to 2040. Transl Oncol (2021) 14(10):101174. doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101174 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
World Health Organization (WHO) . Cancer (2022). Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer (Accessed 2023 Aug 16).
[6] How Does Gut Health Affect the Immune System? – CYMBIOTIKA
[7] The Effect of a Novel Probiotic Formula (SMT04) in Reducing Colorectal Cancer-Associated Biomarkers. J Probiotics and Dietetics 2023. 3(1)08-123(1)08-12.
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