Hospital Picaso, BD and College of Radiology Malaysia Partner to Strengthen Breast Cancer Care

From Left, Dr Ng Char Hong, Consultant Breast and Breast Reconstructive Surgeon, Hospital Picaso; Dr Farhana Fadzil, President of College of Radiology Malaysia; Encik Ahmad Lutfi, CEO of Hospital Picaso; Mr Lu Liang, Vice President of Southeast Asia and Pakistan BD, Ms Javis Tung, APAC Business Development Director of Oncology, BD, gather for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony, marking a collaborative effort to advance breast intervention and strengthen breast cancer care in Malaysia.

PETALING JAYA, 5 October 2026 — Hospital Picaso, BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) and the College of Radiology Malaysia have partnered to strengthen breast intervention skills and multidisciplinary breast cancer care in Malaysia. Over the next three years, the collaboration aims to train at least 100 breast surgeons, breast radiologists and radiographers through structured clinical education, practical training and mentorship.

A key initiative is the establishment of the BD Breast Academy Malaysia Chapter in collaboration with Hospital Picaso. The academy will provide a platform for masterclasses, hands-on workshops, clinical mentorship, case discussions and scientific exchange. Hospital Picaso will also be developed into a Breast Intervention Centre of Excellence and training hub.

The partnership comes as Malaysia continues to face challenges in early breast cancer detection. According to the Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report 2017–2021, 50.5% of female breast cancer cases with known stages were diagnosed at Stage III or IV. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among Malaysian women.

The Ministry of Health’s Roadmap Towards Downstaging of Breast Cancer in Malaysia 2025–2035 aims to increase early-stage diagnoses, complete diagnostic evaluations within 60 days and ensure at least 80% of patients complete multimodality treatment.

The collaboration seeks to address these challenges by strengthening clinical skills and improving coordination among healthcare professionals throughout the breast cancer care pathway.

Training will cover breast imaging, Core Needle Biopsy (CNB), Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy (VABB), image-guided biopsy, lesion localisation and minimally invasive breast procedures. Participants will also learn about clinical decision-making and best practices in breast cancer management.

Practical learning opportunities will include simulation-based training, procedural planning, observation of live or recorded procedures, multidisciplinary case discussions and exposure to breast clinics and patient care pathways. Planned clinical observations at Hospital Picaso will include ultrasound-guided CNB and VABB procedures, as well as lesion localisation techniques.

“The value of this partnership extends beyond individual workshops and procedures. Breast cancer care involves a series of interconnected decisions throughout a patient’s journey. By bringing clinical education into a multidisciplinary environment, we can help healthcare professionals understand how decisions at each stage affect subsequent care, while strengthening breast care capabilities across Malaysia,” said Ahmad Lutfi, Chief Executive Officer of Hospital Picaso.

Connecting expertise across the breast cancer care pathway

From Left Dr Ng Char Hong, Dr Farhana Fadzli, Mr Lu Liang and Ms Javis Tung take part in a fireside chat titled “Beyond Treatment: Building a More Connected Breast Cancer Care”, discussing the importance of a collaborative and integrated approach to breast cancer care.

The partnership will bring together breast radiologists, breast surgeons, oncologists, pathologists and other healthcare professionals through multidisciplinary tumour board discussions, joint case reviews and educational activities.

These initiatives aim to improve communication between specialties, strengthen referral pathways and support timely diagnosis, treatment planning and patient management. Closer collaboration between breast radiologists and breast surgeons will be a key focus.

Dr Farhana Fadzli, President of the College of Radiology Malaysia, said, “Breast intervention plays an important role between detecting an abnormality and determining the next steps in a patient’s care. The quality of imaging, tissue sampling and lesion localisation, together with effective communication between specialties, can influence treatment decisions. Structured training, mentorship and multidisciplinary learning allow healthcare professionals to strengthen their skills and learn from one another.”

The programme will draw on experienced faculty from both the public and private healthcare sectors. Malaysian breast radiologists and surgeons will contribute to training programmes tailored to local clinical practice and patient needs.

The collaboration will also develop future trainers and mentors. Hospital Picaso clinicians will have opportunities to lead workshops and masterclasses, provide clinical mentorship and support peer-to-peer learning in Malaysia and the region.

Building on regional expertise

Dr Ng Char Hong, Consultant Breast and Breast Reconstructive Surgeon, Hospital Picaso, shares insights during a fireside chat on advancing breast cancer care, highlighting the importance of collaboration and innovation in improving patient outcomes.

The Malaysia Chapter builds on the Southeast Asia BD Breast Academy, established approximately two years ago. The regional platform has trained more than 100 healthcare professionals through workshops, masterclasses, clinical exchange programmes and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Through the new chapter, BD will work with Hospital Picaso and the College of Radiology Malaysia to expand access to structured professional education in Malaysia while connecting local healthcare professionals with regional expertise.

Mr Lu Liang, Vice President, Southeast Asia and Pakistan, BD, delivers his remarks during the MOU signing ceremony, emphasising the role of collaboration and professional development in advancing breast intervention and improving standards of care.

“Healthcare transformation is not driven by technology alone. It requires strong partnerships, empowered healthcare professionals and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for patients and communities. Through the BD Breast Academy Malaysia Chapter, we aim to create a sustainable platform where healthcare professionals can develop practical skills, learn from experts and peers, and help strengthen breast intervention capabilities across Malaysia,” said Lu Liang, Vice President and General Manager, Southeast Asia and Pakistan, BD.

Planned activities include annual symposiums, educational forums, multidisciplinary roundtable discussions, clinical mentorship, faculty development and joint local and regional workshops. These initiatives will support an ongoing professional network where healthcare professionals can exchange knowledge, mentor colleagues and promote consistent breast intervention practices.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed at the Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The signing followed Hospital Picaso’s MDT Series: Early Breast Cancer 2026, which brought together specialists in surgery, oncology, radiology, pathology, genetics and other areas of breast cancer care.

Over the next three years, the partners will focus on expanding access to clinical training, developing local faculty and strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration. The long-term goal is to support earlier diagnosis, appropriate intervention and more coordinated care, helping patients navigate their journey from detection to treatment more effectively.

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About Hospital Picaso

Hospital Picaso is led by a team of highly experienced doctors who came together to develop a Centre of Excellence for Advanced Surgery and Centre of Excellence for Integrated Oncology. The team of doctors are passionate about the latest technology that allows the best possible patient outcome and quality of care after treatment. Our doctors are committed to work as a team, especially when multidisciplinary treatments are required in a patient’s treatment journey.

Located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Hospital Picaso (PJ Integrated Centre for Advanced Surgery and Oncology) is equipped with the latest in equipment required by our doctors in their respective areas. The hospital facilities include Operating Theatres, Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Inpatient Wards (suite, single and double bed), Day Care, Nuclear medicine and comprehensive diagnostics equipment.

For more information on Hospital Picaso, visit www.hospitalpicaso.com or email: info@picasohospital.com.

About BD

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) is one of the world’s largest pure-play medical technology companies, with a purpose of advancing the world of health™. BD develops technologies, services and solutions across medical essentials, connected care, biopharma systems and interventional care to help optimise clinical operations and improve patient care. Operating globally with more than 60,000 associates and serving over 190 countries and territories, BD works with healthcare providers and other partners to help enhance outcomes, improve clinical efficiency and safety, and expand access to healthcare.

For more information, visit www.bd.com

About the College of Radiology Malaysia

The College of Radiology, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia (CoR) is a non-profit professional organisation serving Malaysia’s radiology community and supporting the advancement of radiology practice in the country. The College promotes continuing professional education, clinical standards, knowledge exchange and collaboration across the radiology profession through scientific meetings, educational activities, professional guidance and subspecialty initiatives. Its work spans areas including diagnostic radiology, breast imaging, interventional radiology and other radiological disciplines, while fostering collaboration with healthcare professionals and radiology organisations locally and internationally.

For more information, visit https://collegeofradiology.org/

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