{"id":11939,"date":"2026-09-17T17:15:01","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T09:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wise-mag.com\/?p=11939"},"modified":"2026-09-17T17:15:02","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T09:15:02","slug":"making-the-breast-cancer-journey-simple-for-malaysian-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wise-mag.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/17\/making-the-breast-cancer-journey-simple-for-malaysian-women\/","title":{"rendered":"Making the Breast Cancer Journey Simple for Malaysian Women"},"content":{"rendered":"
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KUALA LUMPUR, 4 September 2026: <\/strong>Finding a breast lump can be frightening. For many women, the uncertainty continues as they move between clinics, imaging centres, laboratories and hospitals.

As Malaysia works towards earlier breast cancer diagnosis, there is another important part of the journey to consider: what happens after a woman enters the healthcare system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How quickly does she receive information? Are her treatment options clearly explained? Do her doctors work together to provide one clear plan? These questions can make a major difference to a patient\u2019s experience.<\/em>

Almost one in two breast cancer cases in Malaysia were diagnosed at stage three or four between 2012 and 2016.\u00b9 Five-year survival is 88 per cent for stage one breast cancer, compared with 23 per cent for stage four.\u00b2<\/em><\/strong>

Early diagnosis is therefore important. But women also need a clear and coordinated path from diagnosis to treatment and recovery.

A healthcare model built around the patient<\/strong>

Picaso Breast Centre was established to address some of these challenges. The centre brings breast clinics and imaging services together on one floor. Pathology, surgery, oncology and supportive care are also connected through a multidisciplinary team. This means patients do not have to manage several separate opinions on their own. Their medical information can be reviewed by different specialists, who then work together on a treatment plan.

A decision to put patients first<\/strong>

The model was created after specialists saw how fragmented care could add to a patient\u2019s stress and uncertainty. Several specialists left established practices to work together in a centre designed around the patient\u2019s journey rather than separate departments. \u201cA woman who finds a lump can spend months being passed between a clinic, an imaging centre, a laboratory and a hospital. Every one of those handovers is a place where a frightened woman can fall out and never come back. This model removes those handovers.\u201d

Professor Emeritus Dato\u2019 Dr Yip Cheng Har
Consultant Breast Surgeon, Picaso Breast Centre<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Professor Emeritus Dato\u2019 Dr Yip Cheng Har, Consultant Breast Surgeon, delivering her opening remarks at \u201cInside Her Story\u201d, a media dialogue on the breast cancer journey organised by Hospital Picaso Breast Centre, held on 4 September 2026 at Hilton Petaling Jaya.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Opened in 2024, the Centre\u2019s multidisciplinary team includes breast surgeons Professor Emeritus Dato\u2019 Dr Yip Cheng Har, Dr Ng Char Hong, Dr Harjit Kaur and Dr Normayah Kitan; breast radiologists Dr Farhana Fadzli and Dr Maninderpal Kaur; anatomical pathologist Dr Lee Bang Rom; and clinical oncologists Dr Mastura Md Yusof, Dr Tan Chih Kiang and Dr Christina Lai Nye Bing.<\/em><\/strong>
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One team, one clearer plan<\/strong>

The team holds regular multidisciplinary meetings to review each patient\u2019s scans, biopsy results and medical history. Together, they consider the diagnosis, surgery, reconstruction and other treatment options before making a clinical recommendation. This allows patients to receive a clearer plan instead of having to wait for each specialist to give a separate opinion. \u201cWhat reaches the patient is one clear plan and a team that already agrees on it. Working together as a team makes that possible every week rather than occasionally. Doing it every week is what actually changes how long a woman waits.\u201d

Dr Ng Char Hong
Consultant Breast and Breast Reconstructive Surgeon<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Dr Ng Char Hong, General and Breast Surgeon, and Dr Christina Lai Nye Bing, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, speaking with members of the media at the Personalised Care and Beyond station, part of the guided breast cancer journey at \u201cInside Her Story\u201d.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

By reducing unnecessary handovers and making decisions earlier, the model aims to reduce waiting times and make the healthcare journey less stressful. It also allows the oncology team to remain involved beyond the initial treatment, helping provide continuity during survivorship.<\/strong><\/em>

Treatment that considers the whole person<\/strong>

Breast cancer is not the same for every woman. Treatment depends on factors such as the type and stage of cancer, as well as the individual patient\u2019s needs.
An integrated approach can help doctors consider both the medical and personal aspects of treatment.

\u201cOncoplastic breast surgery combines cancer surgery with reconstructive surgical techniques to maintain both function and appearance of the breast. Apart from treating the cancer, we also consider how the treatment affects a woman\u2019s confidence, identity and emotional wellbeing.\u201d

Dr Harjit Kaur
Consultant Oncoplastic Breast and Endocrine Surgeon<\/strong>

The aim is not only to treat the cancer, but also to consider how treatment may affect a woman\u2019s quality of life.<\/strong><\/em>

Bringing the patient experience to life<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Guests at the sit-down dinner during \u201cInside Her Story\u201d, held at Hilton Petaling Jaya on 4 September 2026<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

These experiences were highlighted at \u201cInside Her Story\u201d, an immersive media event organised by Picaso Breast Centre. The event took visitors through the different stages of the breast cancer journey, from the first symptoms and diagnosis to treatment and survivorship. Specialist-led stations explained the clinical process, while a film featured Malaysian women sharing their personal experiences. Several breast cancer survivors whose portraits were displayed at the event also attended the gathering. Their stories highlighted an important message: healthcare teams can take on more of the coordination so patients do not have to carry that burden alone.

Supporting wider change in breast cancer care<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Serena C, Master of Ceremonies, hosting \u201cInside Her Story\u201d, a media dialogue on the breast cancer journey organised by Hospital Picaso Breast Centre.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In 2025, the Ministry of Health published the Roadmap Towards Downstaging of Breast Cancer in Malaysia 2025\u20132035. <\/em><\/strong>The ten-year roadmap aims to reduce late-stage breast cancer diagnosis in Malaysia.\u00b3 Earlier detection is an important part of this effort. But women also need healthcare pathways that help them move smoothly from diagnosis to treatment and survivorship.

Picaso Breast Centre is one example of how bringing specialists together and reviewing cases as a team can simplify parts of this journey. Creating wider change will require cooperation between healthcare providers, policymakers, patient groups and industry.

Roche Malaysia\u2019s participation in \u201cInside Her Story\u201d focused on healthcare innovation and the role of advanced treatments and more efficient care pathways in improving patients\u2019 quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms Deepti Saraf
General Manager, Roche Malaysia, and Vice President of the Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia (PhAMA)<\/strong>

\u201cBreast cancer care has come a long way. Advanced science now allows us to focus on quality of life and giving back time, reducing treatment times that once took hours to a much lower duration. By streamlining care pathways, we ensure innovation does more than treat the disease: it eases the strain on families and gives women back their time, peace of mind, and a sense of normalcy to live their lives.\u201d<\/em><\/strong>

About Picaso Breast Centre<\/strong>

Hospital Picaso brings together experienced doctors who work across advanced surgery and integrated oncology. The team focuses on using the latest technology and working closely together, especially when patients require multidisciplinary cancer care. Located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Hospital Picaso (PJ Integrated Centre for Advanced Surgery and Oncology) provides specialised medical services and diagnostic facilities. Its facilities include operating theatres, an intensive care unit, emergency department, inpatient wards, day care, nuclear medicine and comprehensive diagnostic equipment. The hospital is part of the Asia OneHealthcare (A1Health) regional network.

About Roche in Malaysia<\/strong>

Roche was founded in Basel, Switzerland, in 1896. Today, it provides medicines and diagnostic solutions in more than 150 countries. The company focuses on major healthcare areas including oncology, neurology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, ophthalmology, infectious diseases and immunology. Roche has been present in Malaysia since 1972. Its operations now include Roche (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Roche Diagnostics (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. and Roche Services (Asia Pacific) Sdn. Bhd. With more than 1,000 employees in Malaysia, Roche provides healthcare solutions for healthcare professionals and patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u258d<\/strong> Sources<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. <\/strong> Ministry of Health Malaysia, Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report 2012\u20132016. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. <\/strong> National Cancer Registry, National Cancer Institute, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Malaysian Study on Cancer Survival (MySCan), 2018. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. <\/strong> Ministry of Health Malaysia, Roadmap Towards Downstaging of Breast Cancer in Malaysia 2025\u20132035, 2025. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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