THE STAR, SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017
CANCER AWARENESS
A greater
insight
By NISSHANTHAN DHANAPALAN
ACCORDING to WHO Noncommunicable
Diseases (NCD) Country Profiles, 2014,
cancer accounts for 15% of proportional
mortalities across different ages, sex and
race in Malaysia.
Malaysian healthcare experts agree that
cancer cases are on the rise. However, it is
uncertain whether this is due to an increase
in the prevalence of the disease or more
people coming forward for screening and
tests.
Whether it is a personal diagnosis or a
close friend or family member who is a
patient, many of us have been affected by
cancer. Therefore, awareness is crucial.
People should educate themselves about
cancer as well as screening and treatment
options as information is a lot more
accessible nowadays, says Dr Vasuhi
Murugiah, chief executive officer of Subang
Jaya Medical Centre.
However, individuals should verify that
the information they receive is scientifically
and medically accurate. Get educated on
cancer and share your knowledge with
your community.
The inaugural Malaysian Cancer Care
Initiative, which is happening on March 9,
will bring forth representatives from public
and private sectors to discuss improving
cancer care as well as educate the public on
the disease.
Our understanding of cancer has
advanced drastically over the past decade
with new research technologies using
genetics and molecular biology to
understand how the disease occurs and
persists in the human body as well as
possible ways to terminate cancer cells.
However, more needs to be done on a
social level by lobbying for better policies,
especially in cancer treatment accessibility.
> TURN TO PAGE 3
Spice up your life
CANCER is a disease often described as one
of the top killers worldwide. Dealing with
this disease can be emotionally as well as
physically draining.
Apart from triggering emotional distress
and physical pain, cancer can cause financial
hardship for cancer sufferers and their
families.
According to statistics released by
Globocan 2012, cancer incidences have
increased by 11% to an estimated 14.1
million cases worldwide from 2008 to 2012.
There is a link between inflammation in
the body and the development of cancer.
Inflammatory chemicals release free radicals
in the body and encourage the production of
new blood vessels that feed cancerous
growths.
Cancer can be potentially prevented and
treated through the inhibition of the
inflammatory pathways. This starts with
your diet and lifestyle modifications.
Curcumin
More than just a culinary
spice, turmeric possesses anti-
inflammatory properties. This is
attributed to curcumin, the active principal
constituent of curcuminoids in turmeric.
To reap the full benefits of curcumin and
for maximum efficacy, look out for the
patented Curcumin C3 Complex formula,
which contains three main chemical
compounds curcumin,
demethoxycurcumin (DMC) and
bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC).
Standardised to contain 95%
curcuminoids, it offers better consistency
and quality for optimal protection of the
biological systems.
BioPerine, a patented black pepper, is
often added to the formula to enhance the
bioavailability and absorption of curcumin.
Curcumin provides a safe, natural approach
to calm inflammatory responses in the body.
This informational article is brought to
you by VitaHealth.
n For more information,
call 1800 183 288.
2 Cancer Awareness
Cancer care as it should be
CANCER is one of the biggest killers
in Malaysia and is a national
healthcare concern yet we still
have a long way to go in
understanding this illness.
The National Cancer Registry
2002 report states that one in 5.5
Malaysians are expected to get
cancer in their lifetime, which
heightens the urgency for cancer
education and action in the
country.
It is against this backdrop that
the inaugural Malaysian Cancer
Care Initiative (MCCI) 2017 is being
held.
The MCCI 2017 summit aims to
highlight Cancer Care as It Should
Be, encompassing the continuum
of cancer management from
prevention, diagnosis and
treatment to patient support and
public education, as well as
palliative and supportive care.
Organised by Subang Jaya
Medical Centre (SJMC), this event
will bring together healthcare
experts, corporate entities, cancer
survivors and caretakers as well as
members of the public for a day
dedicated to discussing the
advancement of cancer care and
management in the country.
At the heart of MCCI is elevating
patient-centric care in the
continuum of cancer management.
We want to encourage a sharing of
knowledge and best practices as
well as collaboration for the
betterment of cancer care, as part
of our thought leadership initiative
in cancer management.
The focus is on getting
information to the public in a
sincere and open way to ignite
discussion and change in thought
as well as bringing stakeholders
together for dialogue and
deliberation, says Dr Vasuhi
Murugiah, chief executive officer
of SJMC.
This calls for a greater sharing of
developments in cancer care and
treatment, technologies and
diagnosis within stakeholders in
the healthcare sector.
The event is supported by
partner AIA Bhd, which promotes
putting individuals and their
families at the centre of care
management in line with the
patient-centred approach
championed by SJMC.
According to AIA Bhds chief
executive officer Anusha
Thavarajah, This approach
includes respecting patients values
and preferences, making sure that
they feel comfortable and safe, as
well as working together with
individuals and their families to
decide on the best way to provide
care.
Spearheading
comprehensive approach
According to Dr Matin Mellor
Abdullah, clinical oncologist at
SJMC, a cancer centre should offer
not only top-notch professional
clinical care at all stages of the
illness but a strong support system
from empathetic staff and support
groups as well.
This includes the palliative care
aspect, which is not yet well
developed here. Some people may
think that receiving palliative care
means preparing one for eventual
demise but it is more than that.
It aims to maintain the best
possible quality of life of the
patient till his or her demise and
should be accepted as making
a seamless transition to death,
which is something we should
The Cancer and Radiosurgery Centre in SJMC aims to provide good clinical outcomes and patient care in the fight
against cancer.
Dr Vasuhi Murugiah.
embrace, says Dr Matin.
MCCI aims to create greater
awareness of cancer and its
resulting loss of productivity
among urban and suburban
communities alike.
For the man on the street, this
means being informed on
preventative care lifestyle
measures and going for early
screening and detection.
SJMC acts as the organiser that
brings people to the table, but the
issues discussed at the table is what
matters. We hope to place a
spotlight on all aspects of cancer
and care by bringing different
viewpoints together, says Dr
Vasuhi.
The key message is that cancer
is not a death sentence and can be
cured with early detection and its
risk is minimised through healthy
lifestyle habits. If detected early,
you can go on to live long,
meaningful lives after getting the
right treatment.
However, chemotherapy and
targeted therapy drugs are costly,
which means many are not able to
afford them.
We want chemotherapy drugs
to be accessible to all, but the
reality is different as although
these drugs are available in the
country, the cost is too high to be
funded by the public healthcare
system, says Dr Matin.
Even those who seek treatment
in the private sector sometimes
resort to drastic measures to make
these payments, especially for
more advanced, expensive
compounds used in targeted
therapy.
Although advances in diagnostic
Dr Matin Mellor Abdullah.
and therapeutic technology have
improved the outlook for many
patients, they have also increased
the cost of adding a year to a
cancer patients life.
Through deliberating matters
such as these, MCCI will also
support the agenda of the National
Strategic Plan for Cancer Control
Programme, which puts the
spotlight on all aspects of cancer
including cancer management,
how the community plays a part in
cancer control, and the benefits of
patient-centred care.
These topics and more will be
covered in depth at the inaugural
MCCI summit, featuring an expert
panel of international and local
professionals in cancer care,
including Dr Matin, Union of
International Cancer Controls
president Prof Sanchia Aranda,
Energesse, Australias chief
executive officer Dr Avnesh
Ratnanesan and National Cancer
Society of Malaysias president
Dr Saunthari Somasundaram.
These experts will exchange
ideas and plans that community
members and healthcare
professionals should put to practice
cohesively to fulfil the key
objectives of MCCI.
Survivors will come forward
later to share motivating and
inspiring stories of their journey
battling cancer.
SJMC has empowered survivors
to form support groups for several
types of cancer.
This is not only a heart-warming
display of the enduring human
spirit but a true testament to these
patients standard of satisfaction
with the care and support received
at SJMCs Cancer and Radiosurgery
Centre.
Greater understanding,
collaboration
SJMCs Cancer and Radiosurgery
Centre places great importance on
good clinical outcomes and patient
safety in cancer management.
As a centre of excellence, it
champions ethical, transparent
evidence-based treatment and
management, backed by timely
data and supported by partners
that share this mission.
For example, Anusha explains
how AIA is intensifying its efforts
to transform the way it operates
from all angles from the products
it brings to the market to the way it
assesses a customers insurability
and engagement with healthcare
partners.
These measures ensure a
seamless and personalised
experience for our customers in
their health journey. It is about
providing the best care in the
right setting, which is what
person-centred care is about,
says Anusha.
Dr Vasuhi expresses hope that
MCCI will establish a platform that
enables closer engagement
between the public and private
sectors, which, together with
non-governmental organisations,
can come together to identify the
best approaches to improving
cancer diagnosis, treatment,
outcomes and education.
We hope more healthcare
providers and associations will
champion patient-centred cancer
care in Malaysia. This would
mean giving patients more
attention to ensure that they and
their families know the options
available to them and to respect
the course of treatment they wish
to pursue.
Cancer awareness is growing,
but more discussion between
healthcare providers is necessary
to identify how we can make the
journey easier for patients, not just
in terms of clinical care, says Dr
Vasuhi.
Dr Matin concurs and adds that
beyond this programme, it would
take great stakeholder dedication
to sustain efforts necessary to
THE STAR, SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017
Power of
information
Here are the highlights of
the Malaysian Cancer Care
Initiative, which will be held
on March 9 at the Pullman
Kuala Lumpur Bangsar Hotel.
9.10am to 9.25am
Hear about cancer
management at a national
level from the director
general of health Datuk
Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah
in his opening address.
9.25am to 9.40am
Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz,
patron of the National
Cancer Society of
Malaysia, will be
delivering the keynote
speech titled Cancer
Management As It Should
Be In Malaysia and
Beyond.
10am to 10.20am
Learn about the roles of
different parties in the
fight against cancer with
Prof Sanchia Aranda,
president of the Union of
International Cancer
Control, who will also
discuss why it is
important to integrate
cancer control in the
international health and
development agenda.
11am to 12.15pm
Expert Panel Dialogue,
chaired by SJMCs clinical
oncologist Dr Matin
Mellor Abdullah, will
discuss experiences, best
practices and ideas
towards fulfilling the key
objectives of the
Malaysian Cancer Care
Initiative 2017.
2.15pm to 2.35pm
Dr Avnesh Ratnanesan,
chief executive officer of
Energesse, Australia, will
talk about what it takes to
effectively move towards
patient-centred care.
3pm to 3.20pm
Dr Ednin Hamzah, chief
executive officer of Hospis
Malaysia, will share the
important details on
palliative care to spread
greater understanding of
this component of cancer
care.
create real change, especially with
cancers that can be prevented or
treated. Only then can we
approach cancer with the right
mindset and measures for a better
quality of life.
n For more information, call
03-5639 1212/1537.
THE STAR, SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017 Cancer Awareness 3

Hold your head up high

HEAD and neck cancer are cancers
that originate from the base of the
skull till the oesophagus. This
comprises the lips, oral cavity
(including the tongue), nasal and
sinus cavities, throat and larynx. If
these cancers spread to the brain,
patients will require the expertise
of a neurosurgeon.
Squamous cell carcinoma makes
up 90% of all head and neck
cancers. These originate from the
epithelial lining of the affected
areas.
Since head and neck cancer
usually spreads to the lymph nodes
at the neck area first, enlarged
lymph nodes may be the first sign
that patients notice.
Many do not know that head
and neck cancer can be
successfully treated if they are
operated on at an early stage.
Even though a 100% cure may
not be possible, we are often able
to prolong or, at the very least,
enhance the patients quality of
life, says Dr Mohd Razif Mohamad
Yunus, consultant ENT (ear, nose
and throat) and head and neck
surgeon of Oriental Melaka Straits
Medical Centre.
The main risk factors of head
and neck cancer are smoking,
high consumption of alcoholic
beverages, the chewing of betel
nuts, ingestion of gambier as well
as several types of viruses such as
the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Males run a higher risk than
females with global figures placing
head and neck cancer as the third
most common cancer found in
men. This figure continues to rise
yearly.
According to Dr Razif, a patients
recovery depends on the stage of
the cancer that the patient is
diagnosed with. The earlier
it is found, the higher the
Dr Mohd Razif Mohamad Yunus.
chance of recovery.
Signs and symptoms
According to Dr Razif, cancer of
the head and neck is generally
easier to detect compared to other
types of cancer.
Patients with nose cancer may
feel a growth or swelling in their
nose that is noticeable. Sometimes,
they experience nosebleeds. For
oral cancer, patients may suffer
from ulcers that are present for
weeks.
Bleeding ulcers are also an
indication that something isnt
right. Enlargement of the lymph
nodes in the neck, a sore throat or
a change in voice quality may
indicate the possibility of throat
cancer. Other common symptoms
to watch out for are lumps or pain
in the throat, neck or ears that
persist.
Diagnosis
Once a diagnosis of cancer is
suspected, the patient will undergo
an endoscopic examination of the
affected area. If abnormal tissue is
seen, an MRI (magnetic resonance
imaging) or CT (computerised
tomography) scan will be required.
Treatment
According to Dr Razif, treatment
options depend on the severity of
the cancer.
For some, only surgery is
required. For others, radiotherapy
is followed by surgery while in
certain cases, radiotherapy alone
Imaging
techniques
such as an
MRI or CT
scan are used
to view
abnormal
tissue in the
head and
neck.
is required. body, palliative care will be
There are also those who are provided. It is to offer comfort,
advised to undergo all available reduce pain and ease suffering.
options including surgery,
radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
For patients who are in the early
Screening
stages of cancer (one or two), In certain cases of head and neck
sometimes only the surgical cancer, specific screenings are
removal of the tumour is required. recommended.
These patients have a higher For example, the NPC
chance of recovery,
The surgery itself may take 12
(nasopharyngeal carcinoma)
screening that uses
to 24 hours, depending on the autofluorescence technology is
complexity. If there are no beneficial as its pickup rate of early
complications, the recovery NPC is better.
process may be relatively fast.
In more severe cases, such as n For more information, call
stage four cancer, where cancer Oriental Melaka Straits Medical
cells have spread throughout the Centre at 06-315 8888.

Empowering
each other
> FROM PAGE 1

Malaysia needs a
national cancer control
plan (NCCP) that is
accessible to everyone.
This is a blueprint to
help the country reduce
cancer cases and deaths
as well as improve
patients quality of life.
It unites the efforts of
the entire nation towards
an integrated, evidence-
based and cost-effective
plan, says Clare
Ratnasingham, vice
president of the National
Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM).
As the latest edition was published in
2011, Ratnasingham adds that the National
Cancer Registry should be updated. A
registry shows common cancers, areas with
the highest burden and people most affected
by them, making it crucial for a targeted
NCCP.
Regulation on carcinogenic substances
such as tobacco through the Tobacco Control
Act can also reduce cancer incidences.
Tobacco control efforts have been shown
to be effective in reducing cancer deaths. A
study in the United States, published last
month, reveals a 25% decline in its cancer
death rate since 1991. The major reasons for
this include reduced tobacco use and
affordable healthcare, says Ratnasingham.
Dr Matin Mellor, clinical oncologist from
Subang Jaya Medical Centre, says that
patients diagnosed with cancer need all the
support their family and friends can give.
It is important to understand that
patients need time and space to process the
diagnosis of cancer and its implications. Be
there for them but do not crowd their space.
Refer any medical questions to the
oncologists or palliative care team caring for
them, he says.
Cancer patients should be empowered to
give their best in fighting the disease. It is
also crucial for both patients and loved ones
to accept the disease while getting the best
care possible.
Although there are many young scientists
and doctors out there researching and
developing efficient ways to treat cancer,
there is also a need for cancer volunteerism
and activism, especially among the young.
Volunteering for non-governmental
organisations such as NCSM is a great way
for individuals to play their part in raising
cancer awareness and inculcating healthy
living habits among Malaysians.
Also, take care of yourself. Even though
certain cancers are passed down genetically,
most of them can be avoided by eliminating
risks factors such as smoking, excessive
alcohol intake, unhealthy eating and
inactivity.
4 THE STAR, SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017