NEOPLASIA 1/2016

ISSUE 01/2016

WORLD CANCER DAY 2016 AROUND THE WORLD

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MAKNA CANCER RESEARCH

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AWARD 2015

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FINDING THE REASON TO LAUGH DESPITE CANCER

READ MORE ON HOW MAKNA BURSARY PROGRAMME HELPS CANCER PATIENTS

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Content Issue 01/2016 page

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01 From the President’s Desk News & Happenings 05 We Can, I Can – The Fight Against Cancer in

Malaysia: MAKNA World Cancer Day Symposium 07 World Cancer Day 2016 Around the World 09 Finding Strength & Giving Hope Through Dance 10 Encorp Raises Cancer Awareness Among Employees 10 Penang State Secretariat Spreads Healthy

Living Message 11 Climb Mount Kilimanjaro - the holiday & the cause 13 Klimb Kinabalu 2016 – Open for Donation!!

14 Shaving For A Good Cause

International 15 MAKNA Shares Support Group Experience

ASEAN Cancer Care & Support Group Summit 17 Finding the Reason to Laugh Despite Cancer

Volunteers

20 A Small Spark of Interest Can Ignite Many

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21 Engineers Give Back With Charity Run 22 GIIS Students: Giving For A Worthy Cause Feature Story 23 MAKNA Cancer Research Award 2015 Cover Story 25 How MAKNA Bursary Helps Cancer Patients 27 MAKNA Bursary Programme Research 31 Cervical Cancer and Human Papilloma Virus 33 Developing dendritic cell-based vaccination

strategies to protect against acute myeloid leukaemia

Life Goes On 35 Air Yang Dicincang Tidak Akan Putus Humour 36 Laugh Together lah

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EDITORIAL PENASIHAT / ADVISORS Dato’ Mohd Farid Ariffin Farahida Mohd Farid EDITORIAL Geraldine Teoh Prema Ramasamy PENYUMBANG / CONTRIBUTORS Ammar Asyraf b. Rajmi Camilo Cupitre Dr Gurjeet Kaur Ng Wei Yi Nhan TB Dinh Priyadarshini Subramaniam Shandra Devi Balasubramaniam Suhaila Nik Vemanna Appannah DITERBITKAN OLEH / PUBLISHED BY National Cancer Council (MAKNA) BG 03A & 05, Ground Floor, Megan Ambassy, 225 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: +603-2162 9178 Fax: +603-2162 9203 Email: makna@makna.org.my www.makna.org.my www.facebook.com/maknacancer www.twitter.com/makna_malaysia DICETAK OLEH / PRINTED BY Percetakan Jiwabaru Sdn Bhd No.2 Jalan P/8, Kawasan MIEL Fasa 2, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43650 Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Tel: +603-8925 6688 Fax: +603-8925 1688

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: The content here is general in nature and is provided for information purpose only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician on any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.

REKACIPTA / DESIGN SG Global Support Services Sdn Bhd Level 18, Axiata Tower, No. 9 Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, KL Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: +603-2260 1717 Fax: +603 2260 2211 www.sgglobalsupport.com

PRESIDENT’S DESK

‘I can do a little, We can do more’

Dear friends, During challenging economic times, there is usually an air of concern over our individual and organisational survival. In such an environment, we may feel helpless and become more defensive or competitive, watching our own backs and believing that the fittest survive.

In my years at MAKNA, I have witnessed this survivor instinct at the fiercest. The strength of the individual is unquestionably powerful. Yet, I have also discovered that the influence of the individual, as formidable as it may be, is limited. There is only so much we can accomplish on our own.

The good news is that people have the ability and intelligence to think as a team and work together to solve problems in mutually beneficial ways. Granted it takes considerable effort to get a team going in the first place, but done right, we can truly accomplish much more together than on our own – even pull ourselves out of an economic recession.

I see this truth of “strength in numbers” in the example of the MAKNA Bursary Assistance Programme. For MAKNA, here was the challenge: Thousands of cancer patients from underprivileged backgrounds across the country were suffering because they could not afford treatment. MAKNA saw that we could not do it alone so we counted on you, our community of donors, partners, volunteers, staff and care-givers.

The main solution came in the form of the MAKNA Bursary Assistance Programme, which has empowered over 450,000 cancer patients referred to MAKNA by 88 government hospitals over the last 22 years. With this aid, patients were able to purchase non-formulary drugs, surgical equipment, prosthesis, appliances, nutritional food supplements and most importantly, to continue sustaining their families when cancer and its hefty treatment costs came their way.

For every ringgit given to MAKNA, we put 43 sen into the Bursary Assistance Programme and followed up in person via our Home Visit team to make sure that all funds were channeled efficiently. The Home Visit team goes personally to the homes of those receiving bursary assistance to ensure that their needs are met in the most effective way – and when it was no longer necessary, assistance was discontinued. Here at last, was an actionable solution to a problem made possible through teamwork.

Stepping out of your way, your proactive, collective participation in meeting the cancer challenge in 2015 achieved the following result: Through the Bursary Assistance Programme, over RM6 million in aid was raised and disbursed to 5,452 underprivileged cancer patients, of whom 466 were children. These are people who went on to receive the medical treatment they needed to stay alive, and whose livelihoods were stabilised when they were unable to support their families. Let’s look at this again. Could all these cancer patients have faced their financial storms alone?

These life-saving results were only achieved through a team effort. But in the first place, we had to put aside our self-preservation reflex and focus instead on problem-solving together. I can do a little, but We can do more.

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NEOPLASIA { ISSUE 01/2016 }

Farid

PRESIDENT’S DESK

‘Bersatu teguh, bercerai roboh’

Saudara saudari yang saya hormati, Dalam suasana ekonomi yang mencabar, semua tentunya bimbang sama ada diri atau organisasi yang berkaitan dengan mereka dapat melaluinya tanpa masalah. Kita mungkin merasakan bahawa kita tidak boleh melakukan apa-apa dan akan bersikap lebih defensif atau kompetitif dengan mengambil langkah lebih berhati-hati.

Selama saya menerajui MAKNA, saya telah menyaksikan sikap ini dengan jelas dan ketara sekali, iaitu kekuatan individu adalah sangat tinggi. Namun demikian, saya juga mendapati bahawa pengaruh tidaklah sebesar mana. Tidak banyak yang boleh kita capai jika secara bersendirian.

Apa yang menariknya ialah setiap insan memiliki keupayaan dan kepintaran untuk bertindak sebagai sebuah kumpulan dan bekerjasama menyelesaikan masalah yang memberi manfaat kepada semua.

Walaupun usaha perlu dilakukan untuk membentuk sebuah kumpulan, namun kita boleh mencapai lebih banyak kejayaan berbanding melakukan sesuatu secara bersendirian – ini termasuklah melalui tempoh kelembapan ekonomi.

Saya melihat contoh iaitu bersatu kita teguh dalam Program Bursari MAKNA. Kami berdepan dengan cabaran di mana ribuan pesakit kanser daripada latar belakang yang susah di seluruh negara menanggung beban kerana tidak mempunyai wang untuk rawatan. MAKNA tidak mampu menghulurkan bantuan secara bersendirian dan memerlukan bantuan sama ada kumpulan penderma, rakan usaha sama, sukarelawan, staf dan juga para penjaga.

Penyelesaiannya datang dalam bentuk Program Bursari MAKNA yang telah membantu seramai lebih 450,000 orang pesakit kanser yang telah daripada 92 buah hospital kerajaan sepanjang 22 tahun yang lalu. Dengan bantuan yang diterima, para pesakit boleh membeli ubatan bukan formula (non formulary drugs), bantuan alatan pembedahan, prostesis, peralatan,bantuan rawatan serta makanan tambahan yang berkhasiat. Namun demikian, yang paling penting adalah dapat terus menyara keluarga mereka ketika menghadapi cabaran penyakit kanser serta menanggung bil perubatan yang tinggi yang terpaksa dibayar oleh mereka.

Bagi setiap ringgit yang didermakan kepada MAKNA, kami memperuntukkan 43 sen dalam Program Bursari MAKNA dan diikuti dengan kunjungan peribadi oleh pasukan kami untuk memastikan setiap derma disalurkan dengan betul. Pasukan Home Visit akan bertandang ke setiap kediaman penerima bantuan untuk memastikan keperluan mereka dipenuhi secara paling berkesan. Pasukan ini juga akan menghentikan bantuan sekiranya pesakit tidak lagi memerlukan. Inilah antara penyelesaian kepada masalah yang boleh dicapai melalui semangat kerjasama.

Pada tahun 2015, melalui usaha yang proaktif, dalam usaha membantu pesakit kanser, bantuan sebanyak RM6 juta telah berjaya dikumpulkan dan diagihkan kepada 5452 pesakit kanser yang memerlukan. Daripada jumlah ini, seramai 466 terdiri adalah daripada golongan kanak-kanak.

Semua penerima bantuan telah mendapat manfaat daripada rawatan yang diperlukan untuk terus hidup dan keluarga mereka menjadi lebih stabil melalui bantuan ini. Cuba bayangkan sekiranya pesakit kanser terpaksa menghadapi masalah kewangan inisecara bersendirian?

Semuanya ini hanya boleh dicapai melalui usaha secara berpasukan. Kita perlu melupakan keperluan diri kita dan harus memberi tumpuan untuk menyelesaikan masalah bersama-sama. Bersatu kita teguh, bercerai kita roboh.

Farid

www.makna.org.my

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PRESIDENT’S DESK

“一人难挑千斤担， 众人能移万座山” 亲爱的朋友们， 在挑战重重的经济情况下，我们个人和组织的存活常备受关注。在此 环境下，我们可能会感到无助，并为求自保而变得防卫性强或加剧竞 争及坚信强者生存。 这些年来，我在国家癌症理事会（MAKNA）见证过这个生存本能最酷烈 的状况。毫无疑问地，一个人所拥有的力量是强大的，但我却发现独 自一人所带来的影响力或许令人敬畏，但还是有限的，因为“一人难 挑千斤担”。 好消息是，人们拥有能力和智慧靠着团队思维，以共同受惠的方式合 作解决问题。虽然刚开始可能需要相当大的努力来让团队发挥力量， 但只要一切顺利，通过团结力量所完成的工作会比孤军作战来得更 多—甚至能让我们脱离经济衰退的困境。 我从MAKNA援助金计划的例子看到了“数字的力量”之事实。对MAKNA 而言，挑战就是：全国各地成千上万来自弱势背景的癌症病患因无法 负担治疗费用而正在受苦中。MAKNA发现靠着自己孤军作战是无法成 事的，因此我们把希望放在您、我们的捐赠者社群、伙伴们、志愿者 们、职员们和护理员们的身上。 以MAKNA援助金计划形式诞生的主要解决方案，在过去22年来让92家政 府医院转介给MAKNA的逾450,000位癌症病患受惠。通过这项援助，病 患们有能力购买非处方药物、手术器材、人体修复器材、医疗用品、 营养辅助品，而最重要的是让病患们的家庭能在庞大治疗成本的压力 下继续维持下去。 我们会从您所贡献给MAKNA的每一令吉中拨出43仙到援助金计划里， 并通过我们的家访团队当面跟进，以确保所有资金能有效率地分配出 去。家访团队会亲自前往那些接受援助金的家庭，确保援助金能以最 有效率的方式来迎合他们的需求，并在他们不需要援助时终止援助。 这就是通过团队合作最终得来的一个解决问题的可行性方案。 走出您应对2015年癌症挑战的方式、积极、集体性参与达到了以下成 果：通过援助金计划，筹集到了超过600万令吉 的援助金，并派发给 5,452位弱势的癌症病患，而当中有466位是儿童。这些是需要持续接 受治疗来继续生存，以及在无法支撑家庭时继续维持生计的人。让我 们再深入探讨这一点，所有这些癌症患者能否独自面对他们的财务危 机呢？ 这些挽救生命的成果全靠团队力量才能达成的，但刚开始的时候我们 必须抛开自我防范反射，而是专注于携手解决问题上，正如“一人难 挑千斤担，众人能移万座山” 。

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NEOPLASIA { ISSUE 01/2016 }

PRESIDENT’S DESK

“என்னால் சிறிதளவே சாதிக்க முடியும், நாம் அதிகமாக சாதிக்க முடியும்” அன்புள்ள நண்பர்களே, சவால்மிக்க ப�ொருளாதார தருணத்தில் ஒரு தனி மனிதனின் ப�ொது அமைப்பின் நிலைத் தன்மைக்கு ஒரு ச�ோதனை எற்படுவதுண்டு. இம்மாதிரியான சூழ்நிலையில் மன வருத்தம் ஏற்படும். தன்னைத் தானே தற்காத்துக்கக�ொண்டு ப�ொருத்தமான நிலைத்தன்மை ஏற்படும் என்ற நம்பிகைய�ோடு இருத்தல் வேண்டும்.

MAKNA-வில் எனது பல ஆண்டுகால அனுபவத்தில், க�ொடிய ந�ோயிலிருந்து தப்பிப்பிழைத்தவரின் பயங்கரமான உள்ளுணர்வை என்னால் உணர முடிந்தது. ஒருவரின் ஆற்றல் வலிமை வாய்ந்தது. இருந்தாலும் என்னுடைய கண்டுபிடிப்பில் ஒரு மனிதனின் செல்வாக்கால் சமாளிக்க முடியாததென்பது ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட அளவுதான். நம்மால் ஓரளவே நிறைவேற்ற முடியும். மக்களுக்கு சிந்திக்கும் திறமையும், அறிவாற்றலும் இருப்பதால், ஒரு குழுவாக உழைத்தால் பிரச்சினைகளை தீர்த்துக் க�ொள்ளலாம். ஒரு குழுவாக செர்ந்து பணியாற்றுவதற்கு கனிசமான முயற்சி தேவைப்பட்டாலும், ஒரு தனிமனிதனைவிட ஒரு குழுவாக நம்மால் பெரும் காரியங்களை நிறைவேற்ற முடியும். ப�ொருளாதார மந்த நிலையிலிருந்தும் நாம் விடுபடலாம். எண்ணிகையின் ஆற்றளின் உண்மையை MAKNA BURSARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME வழி ஒரு உதாரணமாப் பார்க்கிறேன். ஆயிரக்கணக்கான வசதி அற்ற புற்றுந�ோய் ந�ோயாளிகள் சிகிச்சைக்கான செலவை சமாளிக்க முடியவில்லை. MAKNA-வால் மட்டும் இப்பிரச்சனையை சமாளிக்க முடியாதென்று எண்ணி, நமது சமூதாயத்தில் உள்ள நன்கொடையாளர்கள், பங்குதாரர்கள், த�ொண்டூழியர்கள், பணியாளர்கள், கவனிப்பாளர்கள், இவர்கள்லால் கவனம் செலுத்தின�ோம். கடந்த 22 ஆண்டுகளில் 92 அரசாங்க மருத்துவமனைகளிலிருந்து 450,000 புற்றுந�ோய் ந�ோயாளிகள் MAKNA பார்வைக்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டனர். இந்த உதவியால் ந�ோயாளிகள் மருந்துகள் மற்றும் ஊட்டச்சத்து உணவுகள், வைட்டமின்கள், உபகரணங்கள் வாங்க முடிந்தது, வைத்தியச் செலவால் தன் குடும்பம் சிரமத்திற்கு உள்ளாகாமலும் பார்த்துக் க�ொள்ள முடிந்தது.

MAKNA-வால் பெறப்பட்ட ஒவ்வொரு ரிங்கிட்டிலிருந்து 43 காசுகள் BURSARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME-ல் செர்க்கப்படுவத�ோடு, HOMEVISIT குழு மூலம் இந்த நிதி ந�ோயாளிக்கு சென்று அடைவதை உறுதி செய்வோம். HOMEVISIT குழு நேரடியாக ந�ோயாளி வட்டுக்குச் ீ சென்று இந்த நிதியின் மூலம் அவர்கள் பிரச்சனைகள் தீர்ந்ததா என்பதை கண்டறிவ�ோம். அவர்களுக்கு இனிமேலும் நிதி உதவி தேவைப்படாதென்று தெரிந்தால் இந்த உதவி நிறுத்தப்படும். இறுதியாக இந்த குழுவால் ஒரு பிரச்சனைக்கு தீர்வு காணப்பட்டது. அதையும் தாண்டி, உங்களின்அயறாத நடவடிகையாலும், பங்கேற்பாலும், 2015ல் புற்றுந�ோய் சவாலுக்கு கீ ழ்க்க்ண்டபடி தீர்வுகாணப்பட்டது. BURSARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME மூலம், 6 மில்லியன் ரிங்கிட் உதவித் த�ொகை திரட்டி 5,452 வசதியற்ற புற்றுந�ோய் ந�ோயாளிகளுக்கு வழங்கப்பட்டது. இதில் 466 பேர் குழந்தைகள். இந்த மனிதர்கள் இந்த நிதியின் மூலம், தங்களுக்கு தேவையான சிகிச்சையின் மூலம் தங்கள் உயிர்களை காப்பாற்றிக் க�ொள்ள முடிந்தது. இந்த நிதி உதவியால் தங்கள் வாழ்கை தரமும் சீர்பட த�ொடங்கியது. ஒரு குழுவின் முயற்சியால்தான் இந்த உயிர் காக்கும் நிகழ்வில் வெற்றியடைய முடிந்தது. ஆனாலும் முக்கியமாக நம் ச�ொந்த ச�ௌகாரியங்களை ஒதுக்கிவைத்துவிட்டு நாம் ஒன்று சேர்ந்து பிரச்சனைகளை தீர்ப்பதில் கவனம் செலுத்துவ�ோம். என்னால் சிறிதளவே சாதிக்க முடியும், ஆனால் நாம் எல்லோரும் அதிகமாக சாதிக்க முடியும்.

ப்ஹாரிட் www.makna.org.my

04

NEWS & HAPPENINGS

WE CAN. I CAN. THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER IN MALAYSIA:

MAKNA World Cancer Day Symposium In conjunction with World Cancer Day on 4 February, MAKNA organised its inaugural symposium titled, ‘We Can. I Can – Acting Together to Fight Cancer in Malaysia’. The objective of the symposium was to provide a platform to put forward and discuss ideas and initiatives across sectors, be it government, corporate or social organisations, to fight cancer in the Malaysian context and to reduce the cancer burden in Malaysia.

The symposium brought together representatives from different sectors such as government, not for profit, private and academic to discuss ideas and coordinated actions across sectors that can help fight cancer and reduce the cancer burden in Malaysia.

General Manager of MAKNA, Farahida Mohd Farid stressed that it is vital for all sectors to join forces and to develop better plans and policies for the future of Malaysia in the aim to reduce cancer burdens and to have a better approach in cancer care.

The panelists for the symposium included, among others, Dr Mohd Roslan, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Hospital Sultan Ismail Johor Bahru, on behalf of National Cancer Institute Malaysia, Suan Tan, Senior Manager, Brand Activation for WWF Malaysia, and Dr Sudeep Mohandas, Managing Director I First International Consultancy along with members from other sectors.

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The symposium was moderated by Professor Claire O’Malley, Dean of Department of Science from the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus.

Among the ideas and recommendations put forward by the panellists included: •

Efforts should be channelled towards other angles that could benefit all in general and not just on awareness and fund-raising, as has been customary for a number of years.

•

Continuous research collaboration is needed in order to derive substantial result in finding the cause of cancer to provide better understanding and more effective methods of prevention.

NEWS & HAPPENINGS

•

The importance of integrated care for those who lost their loved ones to cancer. A holistic approach that takes into account the provision of care and support to family members as well as caregivers should be incorporated into future plans to fight cancer in Malaysia.

•

The importance of developing new strategies to reduce lifestyle risk factors, particularly smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary and nutrition habits, and lack of physical activities, with a special focus on reducing exposure to occupational cancer risks.

The symposium concluded with representatives from each sector sharing current plans and ideas for better impact and result in fighting cancer.

Since 2005, World Cancer Day has been promoted by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), a leading international non-governmental organisation that unites the cancer community to reduce global cancer burden, promote greater equity, and integrate cancer control into the world health and development agenda.

World Cancer Day 2016 also marked the introduction of a three-year campaign under the theme of “We Can. I Can.” The new theme was created with the aim to explore how everyone together or individually can do their part in reducing the global burden of cancer. The three-year campaign meanwhile was devised with the aim of creating continued impact via 20 actions that can be taken individually or collectively to save lives, achieve greater equity in cancer care and make fighting cancer a priority at the highest levels.

World Cancer Day takes place every year on 4 February and unites the world under a single theme to highlight the on-going fight against cancer.

World Cancer Day aims to reduce the number of preventable deaths each year by raising cancer awareness amongst the general public and pressing governments to take further actions against the disease.

www.makna.org.my

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World Cancer Day 2 16 Around the World

By Camilo Cupitre, MAKNA International Division

World Cancer Day activities took place around the world on 4 February. Coordinated by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), cancer-related organisations worldwide held a variety of events to raise awareness based on the theme of “We Can. I Can.” Here are some highlights from around the world.

United States One of the most visible events marking the occasion in the United States was in New York. Through the initiative of the American Cancer Society, the Empire State Building was lit blue and orange for the sixth year in a row. The colours were those of the UICC, the leading non-governmental organisation that unites the global cancer community.

United Kingdom Coordinated by Cancer Research UK, researchers and fund raisers in Oxford highlighted their pioneering work, through a series of talks and events throughout the day. The city is leading the way in the quest to find a cure with about 500 people and over £20m spent on research in the last year alone.

Mexico More than 1,300 people participated in the Mexico City event called “Celebrating Life” on 6 February.

Organised by the Mexican Association Against Cancer, the main activity of the event was the lighting of a monumental figure made up 3,000 candles to honour those who are in the fight, to remember loved ones who are gone and to celebrate those who have emerged victorious.

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NEWS & HAPPENINGS

Nigeria Nigeria commemorated World Cancer Day in Lagos with the 2nd Omolara Jolaoso Memorial Lecture.

The lecture, which carried the theme ‘Survivorship’ brought together over 500 participants that included local and international cancer experts, patients, survivors, advocates, healthcare professionals, government officials, policy makers, legislators, parents and students to share knowledge and experience about survivorship to galvanise action as well as build networks to improve breast cancer support and care in the country.

South Africa Hosted by the Hospice Palliative Care Association and the South African Cancer Alliance, the “World Cancer Day: Lace Up for Cancer Fun Run” took place in Cape Town City on 4 February to give back and provide those affected by cancer with empathy and support.

Aside from the run, there were also live performances that kept runners and spectators entertained along with food trucks and plenty of prizes for giveaways.

The first 200 participants to finish the race were awarded with medals.

Malta At the “We Can. I Can” conference, organised by the Malta National Cancer Platform, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca made an appeal for the environment to be better safeguarded, especially since numerous studies both locally and internationally have found a link between the environment and health, she said. “Let’s continue to work together so that we can help every person who has dealt with this disease. For this reason I urge that together with the policy makers, healthcare professionals and civil society, we can improve the well-being of the Maltese society.”

This article was written based on information obtained from the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). To find out more, visit www.uicc.org www.makna.org.my

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Finding Strength & Giving Hope

Through Dance

Losing her father to cancer when she was still a teenager was something that Brynn Lovett could never forget. This was why, when she was crowned Miss Malaysia World 2015, Brynn decided to highlight the plight of cancer patients as part of her Beauty With A Purpose project.

To better understand the needs of patients, Brynn came along with MAKNA to visit patients at home around the Klang Valley. In addition, she also put together a dance event to raise funds – the idea was conceived out of her own experience where she used dancing as an outlet to cope with her loss. “Dancing helped me get through the pain of my father’s death.

Whenever I started dancing, all the problems, pain and regret disappeared. It made me feel confident and gave me the hope to go on,” explained Brynn.

For the dance event, Brynn reached out to the young residents of Rumah Ozanam (PJ), a home that provides aid to children from poverty stricken areas or broken families. With no more than one month to put the event together, Brynn worked on the choreography of the dance and taught it to her 16 ‘students’.

“Having the children of Rumah Ozanam be a part of this project gave me a chance to give not only hope for young cancer patients, but for the children as well.

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I am happy that they were able to immerse themselves completely in the dance and in the few hours, they were able to hopefully put aside the challenges they face daily and find a healthy, fulfilling channel to express themselves,” she said. “I hope that the children of Rumah Ozanam can walk away from this event with a greater sense of confidence that they, too, can make a difference in the lives of others despite their own adversities. Seeing their enthusiasm, their willingness to learn and to give, when they themselves have so little, is really an inspiration for me.”

Farahida Mohd Farid, General Manager of MAKNA, echoed the sentiment. “It is heart-warming for all of us at MAKNA to witness the generosity of the children of Rumah Ozanam in committing their time and energy to put on a great dance performance for a good cause. Their undiminished spirit to give, in spite of their personal trials, is testament of their characters and shows that every one of us is capable of making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. We are grateful to the children and to Rumah Ozanam for the hope, encouragement and solidarity they have shown to the cancer patients under our care.”

Dance for Hope, a one-day only event, successfully raised a total of RM3,500. Additionally, Brynn was able to take her experience with MAKNA and the patients under our care and share it on a global platform at the Miss World final which took place in Sanya, China in December 2015.

NEWS & HAPPENINGS

By Ammar Asyraf b. Rajmi, MAKNA Executive

Encorp Raises

CANCER AWARENESS

Among Employees

Encorp Berhad, in collaboration with MAKNA, organised a cancer awareness campaign for the benefit of its employees. Various activities were held including a cancer talk, health exhibition and counseling session.

Response from Encorp staff was overwhelmingly positive, ensuring that the campaign met its objective of bringing greater awareness and knowledge of cancer and healthy living among staff. At the same event, Encorp also raised funds totaling RM1,000 for MAKNA.

PENANG STATE SECRETARIAT Spreads Healthy Living Message The Penang State Secretariat held a health campaign entitled, “Cancer the Silent Killer�, to educate staff on the importance of healthy living and cancer prevention. Activities for the day included a cancer awareness talk, a health exhibition and a counseling session. The campaign saw full participation from all levels of staff. The State Secretariat also contributed RM3,500 to MAKNA in aid of cancer patients. www.makna.org.my

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NEWS & HAPPENINGS

CLIMB MOUNT KILIMANJARO - the holiday & the cause

By Vemanna Appannah, MAKNA Deputy General Manager

Whether you spend your holiday scuba diving, on a yoga retreat at an island resort, visiting iconic landmarks across the globe, bungee jumping, participating in marathons, skiing in the Alps or mountain climbing, there’s really no limit to how you can use your interests to raise money for your favourite charity.

Smitten by the mountain bug, climbing mountains has become my hobby. Occasionally I would inject fundraising for a charity into my climb. My first such climb

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was in 2010, for an orphanage. Thereafter it has been in support of the cancer cause, which is something that I have come to embrace wholeheartedly. My climbs over the years included Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia, the Everest Base Camp in the Himalayan Alpine region of Nepal, the Volcanic Regions in the Arctic tundra of Kamchatka, Russia and now Kilimanjaro for MAKNA. I climb mountains and raise funds for cancer because the physical act of reaching the peak of the mountain is only a fraction of what cancer patients undergo in their struggles to beat the illness. To me, the climb is a reflection of the struggle a cancer patient endures during treatment and against all odds, he or she may still beat cancer triumphantly.

It is an enriching experience to my mind, body and soul.

It is an ever-evolving journey that teaches me patience, perseverance and gratitude. I get to see places very few get to see that enables me to better appreciate the small luxuries in life. At the same time it gives me the chance to give back to the community in a very fulfilling way.

NEWS & HAPPENINGS

THE TEAM On a whim, the team called ourselves ‘MY’ team.

MY stands for Monyets & Yaks, and was led by the friendly husband-and-wife team of Dr Balamurugan and Sathya Bama, who are no strangers to mountain climbing themselves. They are also MAKNA donors and well-wishers. At every opportunity, they would never hesitate to lend their hands to support good causes and MAKNA is one such cause.

MY team chipped in in many ways to show their support to my commitment. Dr Balamurugan and Sathya showed their support by spreading a message of hope, printed on a piece of paper that they brought and displayed at the mountain top. The message: “BE POSITIVE – be like Amylia Mustapha” – a cancer survivor whom they have taken a keen interest in.

for MAKNA. To all well-wishers, donors, family and friends, thank you for your encouraging words and generous donations. Your kindness is a valuable gift that changes countless lives.

The MY team members comprised the Kembara Outdoor Centre mountaineers, Ahmad Fakhri @ Manai (a well-known 7 summit summiter) and Sabri Abd Ghani, Casey Ngo, Seventeen climbers including Wan Rusli, Mahendran, Ahmad Shuha, Ravi Karupiah, myself teamed up to scale the Dr. Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz, Yukari 5,895 meters snow-capped Niino @ Tulare, Ngoo Choo Ann, Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest the Pawanteh sisters, Farisha free-standing mountain in and Fazlina, and the Sabah Parks the world and the highest rangers, Martin Moguring and mountain in the African Mithun Jay.

continent.

MY team is truly a diverse team made up of people from all walks of life. We came together for a common goal – to trek and have fun – and to enjoy the journey and the company. It was truly a Malaysian team comprising people from Peninsular and East Malaysia who were joined by a husband-and-wife pair of Japanese and Spanish nationals who are working in Malaysia. This diversity truly made this team uniquely interesting.

MY team shared my passion for charity. They showed close interest in my work and supported my cause at all times by sharing my Facebook fund-raising posts.

The team made appeals and also made generous contributions. Through the support of the general public, family and friends, I managed to raise RM7,500

An off-repeated manitra to keep the climbers motivated: “Tembe PolePole, Hakuna Matata”, which translated as “Walk Slowly, No Problem”

Our experience shows that unity does indeed reflect strength and is the foundation on which wonderful things can be achieved. Together we dreamed of setting foot on the Roof of Africa and together we made our dreams come true.

Dr Balamurugan and his wife Sathya Bama sending a message of hope and courage to Amylia Mustapha (cancer survivor)

Vemanna at the Uhuru Peak www.makna.org.my

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NEWS & HAPPENINGS

Klimb Kinabalu 2016

OPEN FOR DONATION!!

Klimb Kinabalu – Climb Against Cancer 2016 is happening in August. 15 climbers will be fulfilling their dream to conquer Mount Kinabalu and help give back to those who need it most. The campaign aims to raise RM 100,000 to assist underprivileged cancer patients in Malaysia.

The climb will take place from 17 till 20 August 2016 where each climbers will raise at least RM 2,000 for MAKNA. It takes a lot of physical and mental strength for one to conquer such 4,095 metre high mountain. Doing it for a great cause is something that we always grateful for.

We wish the team all the best!

If you would like to donate to support the campaign, you can do so at 5140-7533-9083 (Maybank). For more information, please speak to Mei Ling at 03 2162 9178 ext 167 or email chong.meiling@makna.org.my 13

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NEWS & HAPPENINGS

Shaving for

a Good Cause Personal experience and a genuine desire to help were the impetus for LeBlanc Communications Sdn Bhd together with TFP Solutions Bhd to launch a Shave It Off campaign to raise awareness on cancer and raise funds for MAKNA. The Shave It Off campaign received much support from all levels of staff; LeBlanc Communications Managing Director, Kuna Muno, and TFP Solutions Group Managing Director, Quah Tek Jin, joined 21 employees in fulfilling their pledges to shave their heads to show solidarity with cancer patients.

“Our understanding of the seriousness of the matter drove us to help not only our people, but other cancer patients as well with this campaign,” said Kuna who had lost a family member to cancer. “We look forward to a

lasting relationship with MAKNA as we hope to be more involved in the effort to spread awareness and help make things better for those in need,” he added.

LeBlanc Communications, a provider of end-to-end wireless telecommunications network infrastructure raised RM165,000 for MAKNA through the campaign, which was inspired by the MOVEMBER – The Ultimate Shave Off initiative launched by MAKNA. Employees who volunteered were shaved by a barber on stage while the rest of LeBlanc staff and guests spurred them on with shouts of encouragement. Apart from being present for the cheque presentation, MAKNA also held a talk and a mini exhibition to further enhance knowledge of cancer amongst those who attended the event.

MAKNA would like to thank LeBlanc Communications and TFP Solutions for initiating the campaign that not only contributed funds, but provided a show of solidarity towards the plight of cancer patients. www.makna.org.my

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INTERNATIONAL

MAKNA SHARES SUPPORT GROUP EXPERIENCE ASEAN Cancer Care & Support Group Summit

By Nhan T Dinh, MAKNA International Division

Support groups for cancer patients have been overlooked, especially in developing countries, where resource may be low and the health literacy gap big. The ASEAN Cancer Care & Support Group Summit, which was held for the first time last year, was to address the role and the need for support groups.

The summit could not be more timely, especially now where physicians and healthcare providers are increasingly over-burdened. This could explain why the summit saw the participation of 170 representatives from 9 countries in the region.

Chaired by Julie Garlow, Professor of Medicine/ Oncology, University of Washington, the summit also brought together cancer organisations such as Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Women’s Empowerment Cancer Advocacy Network, and Global Focus on Cancer.

MAKNA is proud to be invited to the summit to share our experience in conducting cancer support groups alongside such esteemed company.

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The 3-day summit served as a great platform for participants to share their know-how and experiences, and obtain the latest updates on best practices in cancer care from their counterparts. Besides discussions and networking, the summit also provided participants with a closer look at cancer care with a fieldtrip to the leading cancer hospital, K Hospital, in Hanoi.

It was a precious opportunity for many who were there to not only learn from but also encourage each other with the focus on making tangible improvements on the level of care accorded to cancer patients, especially in developing nations. For MAKNA taking part in the summit enabled us to share our expertise at a bigger stage and learn from the similar efforts carried out by other cancer organisations.

INTERNATIONAL

MAKNA MALAYSIA TẠI HỘI NGHỊ CHUYÊN KHẢO VỀ NHÓM HỖ TRỢ BỆNH NHÂN UNG THƯ ASEAN

By Nhan T Dinh, MAKNA International Division

Đặt cạnh vị trí của việc chữa trị hoặc nghiên cứu, vai trò của các nhóm hỗ trợ bệnh nhân ung thư tại các nước đang phát triển thường chỉ chiếm vị trí khá khiêm nhường. Hội nghị Chuyên khảo về các hoạt động hỗ trợ bệnh nhân ung thư, có sự tham gia của các nước đại diện khối ASEAN năm vừa qua, lần đầu tiên đánh thức mối quan tâm đúng mực, đúng thời điểm cho nhu cầu rất thực tiễn và có phần gấp rút này. Điều này phần nào giải thích cho sự tham gia nhiệt thành và đông đảo của 170 đại diện của 9 nước trong khu vực.

Giáo sư Julie Garlow, từ Đại học Washington, Hoa Kỳ là chủ tọa của Hội nghị. Một số Tổ chức phi lợi nhuận về Ung thư và chăm sóc bệnh nhân ung thư cũng tham dự, chẳng hạn Khối chăm sóc ung thư tại Seattle (Seattle Cancer Care Alliance), Mạng lưới chuyên trách hỗ trợ phụ nữ trong việc chăm sóc người bệnh ung thư (Women’s Empowerment Cancer Advocacy Network), và

Hội Ung thư toàn cầu (Global Focus on Cancer).

MAKNA vinh dự là một trong những tham dự viên và đóng vai trò tích cực trong việc chia sẻ kinh nghiệm về hoạt động hỗ trợ bệnh nhân Ung thư tại tất cả các tiểu bang của Malaysia.

3 ngày của Hội nghị đã là một điểm tụ hội tích cực, ý nghĩa và đầy hứa hẹn cho các nước ASEAN có thể trao đổi kinh nghiệm trong lãnh vực chăm sóc bệnh nhân ung thư – nhu cầu rất cần thiết trong lãnh vực chăm sóc sức khỏe đối với các nước đang phát triển. Cũng trong dịp này, các tham dự viên cũng có cơ hội đến thăm bệnh viện ung bướu lớn nhất tại thành phố biển Nha Trang. Đây là một cơ hội quý cho rất nhiều tham dự viên và bệnh nhân, không chỉ dừng lại ở việc học hỏi lẫn nhau mà còn san sẻ kinh nghiệm rất thực tiễn từ các nước thành viên ASEAN. Tại đây, MAKNA nhận thấy được những thách thức những tổ chức phi lợi nhuận phải đối diện đặc biệt trong các vấn đề chăm sóc sức khỏe, những vấn đề đa dạng, đa sắc nhưng lại tụ hội và dễ tỏa lan những kinh nghiệm thật sự bổ ích. www.makna.org.my

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INTERNATIONAL

Finding the Reason to Laugh Despite Cancer

By Nhan T Dinh, MAKNA International Division

Comedian Han Van Tinh, 58, is a much-loved artist in Vietnam for his witty, humorous plays.

At the end of 2014, he was admitted to hospital and was later diagnosed with lung cancer stage IV. Having spent most of his life dedicated to comedy and to “cheo”, a sacred, almost forgotten Vietnamese folklore art, he was used to entertaining people by literally putting smiles on their faces. And it was by drawing from the years of such experience that he found strength and hope to cope with such staggering news.

“Everybody will get sick at some point. It’s normal to be unwell. I didn’t want to share this news because I didn’t want to worry anyone. I understood that I must be a pillar of strength to my loved ones as long as I’m still alive.”

Despite his bleak diagnosis, Tinh decided to leave the hospital and pursue a course of treatment using traditional Chinese medicine as he couldn’t afford the medical expenses. Even though he was a well-known comedian, Tinh led a very humble life. But when he was admitted to hospital a second time, the management of the Hung Viet Oncology Hospital stepped in to help fund his treatment.

True to form, Tinh was soon brightening up the ward, and not to mention the work lives of the doctors and staff nurses at Hung Viet Oncology Hospital, 17

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with his sunny attitude and approachable personality.

Tinh was rewarded for his sunny and hopeful disposition; his body responded well to the treatment and medicine prescribed by his doctor.

“Throughout his treatment, we saw a great personality, a strong sense of hope and above all, a strong will to live. We wish that we could transfer his positive spirit and attitude to other patients,” said Dr Hoang Dinh Chan, Specialised Director of Hung Viet Oncology Hospital.

The comedian was pronounced cancer-free and demonstrated good progress in his fortnightly checkups. Instead of being dampened by his recent battle, his positive, cheerful spirit seemed to have grown stronger.

Recently, he joined the laughter yoga session organised

by MAKNA Vietnam. Again, he brightened up the session with his comedic appeal and bubbly personality.

Watching and interacting with Tinh left other participants and the young volunteers of MAKNA Vietnam with plenty to reflect on. Foremost in their thoughts were Tinh’s words,

Having cancer is not an indication that you will die from it. Do not lose hope.

Trust your doctors and toughen yourself, get ready to battle. Like me, instead of an ending, you could find a new beginning waiting for you.

Còn cuộc đời, ta cứ vui…

INTERNATIONAL

By Nhan T Dinh, MAKNA International Division

Ở tuổi 58, Hài sĩ Hán Văn Tình là một trong những nghệ sĩ được yêu mến nhất bởi tính cách dí dỏm và lối diễn đầy duyên dáng trên sân khấu. Vậy mà, cuối năm 2014, Ông nhập viện và được chẩn đoán với căn bệnh ung thư phổi giai đoạn 4.

Gần trọn cuộc đời cống hiến cho hài kịch và nghệ thuật chèo, Ông được xem như một sức mạnh và hy vọng của mọi người với nụ cười thường trực trên môi.

Giờ đây Ông đã dùng chính những nghị lực từ nụ cười từ khoảng thời gian gần trọn đời cống hiến đó, để tìm lại nụ cười cho chính bản thân mình.

Dr Quan Thi Mo, Head of Chemotherapy Department, Hung Viet Oncology Hospital and Han Van Tinh

« Ai cũng có lúc bệnh, bình thường thôi mà. Tôi không muốn ai biết tin tôi bệnh vì tôi không muốn ai lo hết. Tôi phải là trụ cột cho người thân ngày nào tôi còn sống » Mặc dù là một hài sĩ nổi tiếng, Ông vẫn sống rất giản dị và khiêm nhường. Vì thế cho nên, khi biết bết quả chẩn đoán không mấy triển vọng, Ông vẫn quyết định xuất viện và chữa trị bằng thuốc Bắc, chỉ bởi lý do viện phí quá đắt đỏ.

Chính vì thế, khi buộc phải nhập viện lần thứ nhì, ban Giám đốc Bệnh viện Ung bướu Hưng Việt đã quyết định bảo trợ toàn bộ chi phí chữa trị của Ông.

Trong suốt thời gian chữa trị, Ông thật sự là một mặt trời nhỏ mang lại rất nhiều tiếng cười và là làn gió mát trong những buổi chữa trị căng thẳng trong bệnh viện, bằng sự lạc quan và tính tình ôn hòa của mình.

Tinh was welcoming the warm visit of 5 of his fellow comedians at Hung Viet hospital

Tinh and MAKNA Vietnam Laughter Yoga therapy participants www.makna.org.my

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Trời không bao giờ phụ người, cơ thể của Ông đã phản ứng rất tích cực với thuốc chữa trị đặc biệt.

« Trong suốt quá trình chữa trị, chúng tôi thấy được ở Ông một nhân cách tuyệt vời, một con người chan hòa và trên hết, một khao khát được sống thật mãnh liệt. Chúng tôi ước gì những điều tốt đẹp này có thể được tìm thấy ở tất cả mọi bệnh nhân đang phải chiến đấu với căn bệnh ung thư hàng ngày tại đây » - Bác sĩ Hoang Dinh Chan, Bác sĩ chuyên khoa tại Bệnh viện Ung bướu Hưng Việt tâm tình với chúng tôi.

Nghệ sĩ Hán văn Tình đã chiến thắng căn bệnh ung thư và hiện tại đang theo dõi

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2 tuần/ lần. Nụ cười của ông lại tỏa sáng hơn bao giờ hết.

Gần đây, Ông là một trong những tham dự viên tích cực nhất của các buổi Yoga Cười của MAKNA Việt Nam và nối kết các thành viên khác bởi chính tính tình và sự trải nghiệm như một bằng chứng sống cho sức mạnh của hy vọng sẽ giúp người ta đi một quãng đường rất xa.

Lưu lại trong ấn tượng của các tham dự viên là tâm tình của Ông

Bị ung thư, không có nghĩa là mình phải chết đâu. Cứ tin tưởng vào Bác sĩ, cứng rắn lên để sẵn sàng chiến đấu với bệnh, chỉ là đóng một chương sách lại để mở ra một chương mới mà thôi!

VOLUNTEERS

A Small Spark of Interest

Can Ignite Many

By Priyadarshini Subramaniam, MAKNA Volunteer Coordinator A random call sometime in July 2015 by Hung Yue Wah to enquire on volunteering opportunities led to an exciting conversation about the setting up of a MAKNA Club at Taylor’s College Subang Jaya, which culminated in the training of 53 young volunteers ranging from 17 to 19 years of age.

Following the call, Yue Wah inspired five other friends from the Pre-Medical Society to form a committee to champion the ‘Cancer Awareness and Support Programme’ under the auspices of the society itself.

The committee worked hard and recruited approximately 60 interested volunteers from the various A-Levels and Australian Matriculation Programmes to attend the MAKNA Compulsory Training from November 2015 till February 2016.

Note: The MAKNA Club module at Taylor’s College is adopted under the Pre-Medical Society which is accessible to all A-Levels and Matriculation students there.

Please write to priyadarshini@makna.org.my or call 03-2162 9178 ext 168 for the setting up of MAKNA Club in your learning institute, be it universities, colleges or schools, and become part of the community in creating awareness on cancer and encouraging early detection.

Out of the 60 volunteers who started off at the first two training sessions i.e., the MAKNA Introductory Programme and Basic Nursing Care 1 on 14 November 2015, a total of 53 have completed all the three training sessions. The final training, Basic Nursing Care 2, was split into three sessions over three months at the PPUKM-MAKNA Oncology Ward.

Now all 53 are ready to volunteer themselves in the various MAKNA programmes and/or conduct activities for MAKNA. A big congratulations from MAKNA to all of them for their diligence and attentiveness at attending and learning from the training sessions. Most importantly, we are proud of their genuine interests in selflessly doing their part and contributing to the well-being of cancer patients. www.makna.org.my

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VOLUNTEERS

Engineers Give Back with Charity Run for MAKNA

By Priyadarshini Subramaniam, MAKNA Volunteer Coordinator

On 17 January 2016, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) held their annual ‘Engineers for MAKNA’ Run for the year. The run was organised for the fourth time

by The Institution of Engineers Malaysia-Society of Ingenieur (IEM-SIR) Student Chapter of UNITEN as part of their community service efforts.

from all ages across the country for a good cause – helping cancer patients who are in need of aid without regard for race and religion.

The Engineers for MAKNA Run was first introduced in 2012 and the idea for a run was born out of the Society’s desire to give back to the community. Since then, this event has become an annual affair that unites engineers 21

NEOPLASIA { ISSUE 01/2016 }

More than 1,200 runners were flagged off by the Society’s Advisor, Associate Professor Dr Nasri Abdul Hamid for their 12-km run, which covered areas within and adjacent to UNITEN. The event raised a total of RM5,000 from the run as well as charity sales, and all proceeds were chanelled to MAKNA. Apart from members of the Society, external parties with the same objective of performing community service also came on board as sponsors or donors. The Society is pleased to note that support for the charity run has been growing year by year with increasing number of participants and sponsors.

VOLUNTEERS

GIIS STUDENTS

GIVING FOR A WORTHY CAUSE

By Priyadarshini Subramaniam, MAKNA Volunteer Coordinator

The Global Indian International School (GIIS) first came to know of MAKNA in July 2015, when students from the school were invited to be part of the MOVEMBER – The Ultimate Shave Off music video. Since then, the excitement of having contributed for a good cause has spurred the teachers of the school’s Give Club, in particular Miss Inba and Miss Jas, to initiate MAKNA Club activities last year in their classes and to raise funds for MAKNA. The year 2016 has opened new avenues for GIIS to continue their journey with MAKNA in a more sustainable and long-term manner; with the introduction of the MAKNA Club module under the Give Club.

The students have already made a mark in January and February 2016 by conducting various activities that not only focused on raising funds, but also encouraged them to think on their feet, be creative and engaged in critical thinking.

In just a short span of 6 weeks, the students raised more than RM1,000. Their sense of pride and joy was apparent

during the cheque handover ceremony when not just the students but teachers and management of GIIS shared their experiences in testimonials and speeches.

The students have pledged to continue doing their part however little it may be to help cancer patients in receiving medical treatment and have a better chance in living quality, meaningful lives. To start with, the students will consciously save and fill the MAKNA donation box, known as “Baby Box”, as a means of continuously collecting funds for MAKNA. In the coming days, the students will be introduced to many other activities under the guidance of their ever passionate teachers via the Give Club. MAKNA would like to congratulate GIIS on their tireless efforts to enlighten and illuminate the minds of the young on cancer awareness. We hope that greater awareness among the young would bring about greater change in the future especially in terms of early detection, which is a crucial step in the fight against cancer.

Please write to priyadarshini@makna.org.my or call 03-2162 9178 ext 168 for the setting up of MAKNA Club in your learning institute, be it universities, colleges or schools, and become part of the community in creating awareness on cancer and encouraging early detection.

www.makna.org.my

22

FEATURE STORY

MAKNA CANCER RESEARCH AWARD 2015 MAKNA embarked on cancer research in 2001 and has since been active in helping to advance cancer research in Malaysia. MAKNA collaborates with the country’s cancer researchers and physicians to conduct quality research that will generate significant findings towards contributing to new knowledge in combating cancer. One of MAKNA’s research-related programmes is the MAKNA Cancer Research Award that was launched in 2001.

This is an annual award by MAKNA to encourage and recognise ground-breaking research and development

by Malaysian cancer researchers. In this way, MAKNA hopes to advance knowledge that will help cancer patients and enable discovery of potential cures for the disease.

Award recipients are selected by a distinguished panel, headed by Professor Datin Paduka Dr Khatijah Mohd Yusoff FASc, who is both the Malaysian Academy of Sciences Fellow and Dean at the Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia. The panel further consists of prominent medical practitioners in the fields of Haematology and Oncology.

The MAKNA Cancer Research Award 2015 was recently awarded to three promising young scientists to support them in their respective research. They were selected from the largest applicant pool for the award since 2001, with 51 applications in 2015.

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NEOPLASIA { ISSUE 01/2016 }

The three recipients of the MAKNA Cancer Research Award 2015 were:

• Dr Chua Eng Wee of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, awarded RM30,000 for his research on Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms and cisplatin responsiveness • Dr Nethia Mohana Kumaran of Universiti Sains Malaysia, who received RM30,000 in research funding to determine the regulation of STAT3 by Human Papillomavirus strain 16 and 18 in cervical cancer cell lines using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, and • Dr Nor Fazila Binti Che Mat of Universiti Sains Malaysia, who was presented with RM29,835 towards her research on the therapeutic potential of Oroxylum indicum (beko) leaves extract against E6 and E7 oncogenes expression in human cervical cancer cells.

All three recipients received their accolades at an award ceremony, presented by MAKNA Executive Committee member and Vice Chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Professor Datin Paduka Dr Aini Ideris who was accompanied by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia President, YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali FASc and MAKNA General Manager, Farahida Mohd Farid. At the event, award recipients shared some of their research findings and their main objectives for doing research in their chosen topics.

Focusing on research is in line with the mission of MAKNA to mobilise all resources to provide curative, preventative, research and support services to cancer patients and families, high-risk groups and the general public.

FEATURE STORY

PROFILE OF MAKNA CANCER RESEARCH AWARD 2015 RECIPIENTS CONGRATULATIONS

Research Title: Determining the regulation of STAT3 by human papillomavirus strain 16 and 18 in cervical cancer cell lines using the CRISPR/Cas9 system

Researcher: Dr Nethia Mohana Kumaran In cervical cancer, infection by human papillomavirus (HPV) led to the constant activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) causing uncontrollable growth and aggressive invasion of the cancer cells. The aim of this project is to investigate the involvement of HPV strain 16 in the activation of STAT3 in cervical cancer cells using a genome editing method. The results from this study may contribute to the development of STAT3-based therapy for treatment of cervical cancer.

Research Title: Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms and cisplatin responsiveness

Researcher: Dr Chua Eng Wee Cisplatin is one of the most widely used chemotherapy drugs in solid tumours but majority of patients will eventually develop resistance to cisplatin leading to disease relapse. The aim of this project is to identify genetic variants in mitochondrial DNA of head-and-neck cancer cells that may influence cisplatin resistance or responsiveness using a rapid sequencing method. The results from this study may help to understand the mechanism of cisplatin resistance in patients in addition to identifying patients that will respond well to cisplatin treatment.

Research Title: Therapeutic potential of Oroxylum indicum (beko) leaves extract against E6 and E7 oncogenes expression in human cervical cancer cells

Researcher: Dr Nor Fazila Binti Che Mat Oroxylum indicum (O. indicum) is used as herbal medicine in many Asian countries to cure various diseases. This plant has been shown to possess anti-cancer properties by inhibiting the growth of human cervical cancer cells. The aim of the project is to elucidate the effect of O. indicum leaf extracts on E6 and E7 oncogenes expression in human cervical cancer cells. The results from this study may contribute to the development of natural/herbal-based alternative therapy for the treatment of cervical cancer. www.makna.org.my

24

COVER STORY

HOW MAKNA BU HELPS CANC

Transport Allowance

Medical Equipment

Oxygen Concentrator

Chemo Port

Prostheses

Hearing Aid

Crutches

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Colostomy/Urostomy Bags

NEOPLASIA { ISSUE 01/2016 }

Suction Machine

Surgical Items

COVER STORY

URSARY PROGRAMME CER PATIENTS? Ripple Mattress

Scholarship

Milk Formula

Surgical Stapler

Diapers

Metallic Stents

Wheel Chair

Voice Prosthesis

Non-Formulary Drugs

Financial Assistance

Home Visit

www.makna.org.my

26

COVER STORY

BERIKUT ADALAH CARA BAGAIMANA PESAKIT MEMOHON BANTUAN MAKNA.

这就是一名病患如何 向国家癌症理事会申 请援助金的方式。

PROGRAM B

国家癌症理事会（

STEP

1

Pesakit perlu dimasukkan atau mahu mendapatkan rawatan kanser di manamana hospital kerajaan di Malaysia.

病患必须已经前往马来西亚任何一 家政府医院登记并接受癌症治疗或 正在寻求癌症治疗。

STEP

5

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STEP

2

Pesakit yang menghadapi masalah kewangan kemudiannya dirujuk ke Jabatan Kerja Sosial Perubatan hospital oleh doktor yang merawat.

面对财务挑战的病患之后将由主诊医 生转介到医院里的医务社会福利部。

STEP

6

Selepas permohonan ditapis dengan teliti, dan semua syarat dipenuhi, permohonan kemudiannya dimajukan kepada MAKNA.

Permohonan yang diterima oleh MAKNA akan disemak oleh para pegawai yang berkaitan.

一旦申请经过彻底筛检且符合所有 条件，该申请之后将发送给国家癌 症理事会。

在这里，国家癌症理事会所接获的 申请将由有关高级职员审查。

NEOPLASIA { ISSUE 01/2016 }

COVER STORY

BURSARI MAKNA

（MAKNA）援助金计划 STEP

3

Pegawai Kerja Sosial Perubatan menemu ramah pesakit tentang latar belakang sosioekonomi mereka.

医务社工针对病患的社会经济背景 进行访问。

STEP

4

Dokumen sokongan yang berkaitan dikumpulkan untuk mengesahkan latar belakang ekonomi pesakit.

收集核证病患社会经济背景的 相关文件。

APPL IC ATIO N

STEP

7

STEP

8

MAKNA kemudiannya akan memproses permohonan dalam masa 14 hari bekerja.

Selepas penilaian dan pemprosesan selesai, hospital yang berkenaan akan dimaklumkan melalui e-mel.

之后，国家癌症理事会将在14个工作日 内处理有关申请。

一旦完成评估和处理，相关医院将 通过电邮获得通知。

www.makna.org.my

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COVER STORY

Here is how a patient apply for aid from MAKNA

MAKNA BUR MAKNA

ஒரு ந�ோயாளி MAKNA – வுக்கு உதவி கேட்டு விண்ணப்பிக்கும் முறை.

STEP

1

2

Patient has to be admitted or currently seeking treatment for cancer at any government hospitals in Malaysia.

Financially-challenged patients are then referred by the doctor to the hospital’s Medical Social Work Department.

நோயாளி மலேசியாயாவில் உள்ள எந்த அரசாங்க ஆஸ்பத்திரிகளில் புற்றுநோய் சிகிச்சை பெற வேண்டும்.

வசதி குறைவான நோயாளிகள், அவர்களின் மருதுவரால் மருத்துவமனையின் மருத்துவ சமூக வேலை துறைக்கு அனுப்படுவர்.

STEP

5

Once the application has been screened thoroughly, and all requirements are met, it will then be forwarded to MAKNA.

விண்ணப்ப முழுமையாக ச�ோதனை செய்து, அனைத்து தேவைளும் பூர்த்தி அடைந்த பின், விண்ணப்பங்கள் MAKNA – வுக்கு அனுப்பி வைக்கப்படும்.

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STEP

NEOPLASIA { ISSUE 01/2016 }

STEP

6

Here, the application received by MAKNA is reviewed by its respective officers.

இங்கே, MAKNA வுக்கு அனுப்பபட்ட விண்ணப்பங்களை MAKNA – வின் அந்தந்த அதிகாரிகள் மறு ஆய்வு செய்வார்கள்

COVER STORY

RSARY PROGRAMME புர்சரி திட்டம்.

STEP

3

Medical Social Work officer interviews patient on his/her socio-economic background.

மருத்துவ சமூக வேலை துறையில் உள்ள அதிகாரி பின்னர் ந�ோயாளியை இண்டர்வியு செய்து அவர்களின் சமுக ப�ொறுளாதார பின்னணியை குறித்து க�ொள்வார்.

STEP

4

Relevant supporting documents are gathered to verify patient’s economic background.

சம்பந்தப்பட்ட ஆதரவளிக்கும் பத்திரங்கள் சேகரிகப்பட்டு, நோயாளியின் பொருளாதார பின்னணி சரிபார்க்கப்படும்.

APPL IC ATIO N

STEP

7

MAKNA will then process the application within 14 working days.

MAKNA பிறகு கிடைத்த விண்ணபங்களை 14 வேலை நாட்களில் செய்து முடிக்கப்படும்.

STEP

8

Once the evaluation and processing is complete the hospital concerned will be notified via email.

விண்ணப்பங்கள் மதிப்பபீடு செய்தபின், அனுமதிக்கப்பட விண்ணபங்கள் அந்தந் மருத்துவமனைகளின் அதிகரிகளுக்கு ஈமேல் (e-mail) வழியாக தெரிவிக்கப்படும்.

www.makna.org.my

30

RESEARCH

and

H U M A N PA P IL L O M A V IRU S

By Shandra Devi Balasubramaniam and *Dr Gurjeet Kaur, Universiti Sains Malaysia

In a normal healthy individual, human cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them.

When the cells grow old or become damaged, they die and new cells take their place. Sometimes genes are disturbed or undergo mutation. These genes, which may control growth of cells, lose their function and cause the cells to grow at an uncontrollable rate. When cells keep on growing, it forms a growth or tumours. Cancer occurs when abnormal cells divide in an uncontrolled way.

Cervical cancer Cervical cancer is a cancer that occurs in the cervix. In Malaysia, it is the second most common cancer affecting women.

In the cervix, the cells usually grow and shed regularly. However, in cancer, the cells in the cervix have undergone irreversible changes. Cervical cancer is curable if detected early. Figure 1 indicates the site of the cervix where cervical cancer occurs.

What causes cervical cancer?

About 90% of cervical cancers are caused by a virus known as human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD).

There are more than a hundred different types of HPV. These HPVs are classified into ‘low-risk’ HPV and ‘high-risk’ HPV. Only the ‘high-risk’ HPV, mainly HPV 16 and HPV 18 are associated with cervical cancer.

The ‘low-risk’ HPV often causes benign genital warts.

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NEOPLASIA { ISSUE 01/2016 }

Figure 1: Site of cervix in female human model (http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/)

RESEARCH

How does HPV virus cause cancer?

HPV primarily infects epithelial cells of the cervix.

The basal epithelial cells undergo cell division and mature to squamous epithelial cells as they migrate upwards. At times, a small tear might occur in the cervical epithelium which allows the HPV to invade the epithelial cells and infect them. The viral HPV genetic material (DNA) then replicates in the dividing epithelial cells. In ‘high-risk’ HPV, the viral DNA interferes with the normal function of cells. This then causes cells to divide unconditionally. Once the cells are infected with HPV, the shape of epithelial cells will be affected.

At the early stage of infection, it is classified as precancerous or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

These are graded as CIN I, CIN II or CIN III according to severity. Cancer occurs when abnormal cells affect the epithelium and invade into deeper tissues. Figure 2 shows the distribution of epithelial cells in the cervix in normal, pre-cancerous and cancer conditions. The epithelial cells are well organised in normal cervix.

However, in pre-cancerous conditions and cancer, cells infected with HPV are enlarged and grow irregularly.

Figure 2: Distribution of normal and HPV-infected epithelial cells in normal, pre-cancerous and cancer conditions of the cervix

Who is at risk of HPV infection?

HPV infection is transmitted from an infected person to another through sexual contact. More commonly, people who are sexually active at a very early age and have multiple sexual partners are at high risk of HPV infection. People with a poor immune system, infected with HIV or having direct contact with warts are at high risk of HPV infection. Cervical cancer is symptomless at the early stage. However, advanced cervical cancer causes bleeding from the vagina especially after sex.

How is it diagnosed?

All sexually active women are advised to go for regular screening, called pap smear. It is the most reliable and effective cancer screening test for pre-cancerous lesions and cervical cancer. A woman diagnosed to have a pre-cancerous lesion will have regular follow up with the doctor. In some circumstances, the patient may need to undergo a biopsy. Screening is important as precancerous lesions can be treated and prevented from progressing to cancer.

Treatment There is no cure for HPV infection. Treatment for pre-cancerous stages includes laser therapy and other methods to remove or destroy the abnormal tissue in the cervix. Cervical cancer is treated by surgery if detected early. Radiation and/or chemotherapy are given if necessary, as advised by a gynaecologist. Prevention of cancer is best. A HPV vaccine, Gardasil, is available in Malaysia. It is administered to all Form 1 school girls in two doses. Women who wish to receive the vaccination can visit any healthcare facility which provides this service. Abstaining from sexual activity is the most reliable method for prevention. Moreover, practicing safe sex and reducing the number of sexual partners will reduce the rate of infection.

Corresponding author: Gurjeet Kaur is a pathologist with 20 years of experience. Her research interests are in colorectal, breast and cervical cancers.

Assoc Prof Dr Gurjeet Kaur Deputy Director & Pathologist Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM) Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 Minden Penang.

Email add: gurjeet@usm.my Shandra Devi Balasubramaniam is a PhD student at the Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia. www.makna.org.my

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RESEARCH

Developing dendritic cell-based vaccination

strategies to protect against acute myeloid leukaemia

By Ng Wei Yi, University of Melbourne

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a form of blood cancer that initiates in the bone marrow (the soft tissue found in the centre of bone), where all the blood cells are produced.

33

AML starts when the production of normal blood cells (platelets, red blood cells and while bloods cells) from the myeloid stem cells is disrupted. Huge amount of functionally impaired blood cells (myeloblasts) are produced and filled the bone marrow, leaving little or no space for healthy blood cells production. The term “acute” refers to the rapid production and accumulation of these abnormal blood cells.

DC will then dash to the nearest lymph nodes to assist in activating the body ‘security system’ (immune response) by reporting to the CD8 T cells (immune cells that could kill invaders).This unique capability of DC to coordinate T cell immunity render them as an attractive target for the treatment of AML. Our studies focus on developing efficient DC-based vaccination regimes that could protect mice from AML.

Current treatments for AML consisting high-dose chemotherapy with or without stem cell transplantation manage to achieve complete remission in about 80% of AML patients. However, majority of the patients, especially in the elderly, will eventually suffer a relapse.

This emphasizes the need of alternative therapeutic strategies in improving the long-term survival of AML patient.

To generate an effective DC-based vaccine, we isolate naïve DC (immature DC) from the mouse bone marrow followed by exposing them to the cellular material extracted from AML tumour cells (tumour cell lysate).

This is an important step to familiarize DC with a broad variety of AML antigens so that they could react instantly to initiate AML-specific CD8 T cells response when they are re-injected back into the tumour microenvironment.

Dendritic cells (DC) are the sentinels of the body immune system. They constantly patrol around the body and search through organs seeking for harmful organism (i.e. bacteria or viruses), damaged or abnormal cells. When foreign invaders (also termed as ‘antigen’) are detected,

Our initial studies showed that DC-based vaccine alone has little control over AML progression and slightly delay the survival of the AML mice. This was encouraging, as AML could get worse very quickly. The question is why DC-based vaccine fail to control AML progression?

NEOPLASIA { ISSUE 01/2016 }

RESEARCH

A likely explanation is that, in the absence of extra stimulatory signal (adjuvant), the formations of regulatory T cells (TReg; a distinct T cell subset that involved in the inhibition of immune response) is favoured and indirectly promote tumour growth.

We then explored the possibility of combining DC-based vaccine with conventional chemotherapy to improve the current vaccination regime. We designed a novel three-stage vaccination approach that involved DCbased vaccine injection preceding chemotherapy and repeats DC-based vaccine injection after chemotherapy (termed as ‘repeat-combination therapy’), with the aim to eliminate Treg, reduce tumour load and elicit strong anti-tumour immune response simultaneously to control aggressive tumour development.

Figure 1: DC morphology

This time, the repeat-combination therapy successfully enhanced the anti-tumour effect as compared to that induced by DC-based vaccine alone and substantially improved the long-term survival of the AML mice.

These findings reveal the value of incorporating DC-based vaccine with chemotherapy. Because AML can be rapidly fatal after diagnosis, prolongation of survival might be considered as therapeutic success and benefits to patient.

The author acknowledges the generous funding support from MAKNA and would like to thank the following research team members for providing insights and expertise that greatly assisted the research:

Figure 2: Interaction of DC and T cells (Image source from International Journal of Clinical & Medical Imaging)

PPUKM-MAKNA Cancer Centre, MSC Team Professor Emeritus Dr Cheong Soon Keng (Principal Investigator) Professor Dr S. Fadilah Abdul Wahid Associate Professor Dr Leong Chooi Fun Associate Professor Dr Maha Abdullah

Wei Yi Ng Dept. of Microbiology & Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville,Victoria 3010, Australia Email: wng2@student.unimelb.edu.au

Figure 3: Interaction of DC with T cells (Online source from: http://3dciencia.com/blog/?p=526) www.makna.org.my

34

LIFE GOES ON

AIR YANG DICINCANG TIDAK AKAN PUTUS

BY SUHAILA NIK

Perjalanan kehidupan setiap manusia dipenuhi dengan pelbagai corak dan warnanya yang tersendiri. Ada diantaranya mempunyai jalan cerita yang cukup baik. Namun tidak terkecuali juga yang mempunyai kisah sebaliknya.

Menyusuri satu perkampungan yang agak jauh terletaknya iaitu di Kampung Kebun Jimah Chuah, Port Dickson Negeri Sembilan. Disini tinggalnya sebuah keluarga kaum Cina yang melalui perjalanan hidup yang agak mencabar.

Dikenali dengan nama Fum Kam Chuan berusia 51 tahun tinggal bersama-sama dengan ibu dan beberapa adik-beradiknya yang lain disebuah rumah milik keluarganya. Beliau merupakan anak ketiga daripada lapan orang adik-beradik. Fum Kam Chuan telah disahkan menghidap right tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma semenjak Disember 2015. Keadaannya kini agak lemah yang mana beliau hanya terlantar sahaja dan tidak mampu untuk menguruskan diri sendiri.

Salah seorang daripada adik lelakinya iaitu Fum Kam Choy 44 tahun telah bertanggungjawab menjaganya dan juga seorang ibu yang berusia 79 tahun dan mengalami masalah alzheimer.

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NEOPLASIA { ISSUE 01/2016 }

Adiknya ini bekerja sebagai pekerja kontrak tetapi kini tidak mampu untuk bekerja sepenuh masa memandangkan tanggungjawab beliau yang perlu menghantar abangnya ke hospital untuk mendapatkan rawatan di Institut Kanser Negara. Keadaan ini memerlukan beliau perlu kuat lebih-lebih lagi untuk menjaga dua orang ahli keluarga yang kurang upaya.

Keadaan ini ditambah lagi apabila pesakit kini tidak mampu untuk menguruskan dirinya sendiri. Selain Fum Kam Choy, dua orang adik lelakinya juga turut sama menggalas tanggungjawab ini.

Ikatan kekeluargaan yang jelas terpancar dalam keluarga ini apabila mereka bekerjasama dalam menjaga seorang abang yang kurang berupaya ini.

Bagi meringankan bebanan keluarga ini, MAKNA telah membantu pesakit dari segi kewangan dan bantuan susu formula semenjak Disember yang lalu. Di kesempatan lawatan yang lalu adiknya telah mengucapkan ribuan terima kasih kerana telah meringankan bebanan mereka melalui bantuan yang telah disalurkan.

Laugh Together lah

HUMOUR

Sources: Brightside.me www.makna.org.my

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National Cancer Council (MAKNA) BG 03A & 05, Ground Floor, Megan Ambassy, 225 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: +603-2162 9178 Fax: +603-2162 9203 Email: makna@makna.org.my www.makna.org.my www.facebook.com/maknacancer www.twitter.com/makna_malaysia

Bring a new meaning to life www.makna.org.my/donate

Join us and make a difference www.makna.org.my/get-involved

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Your contribution can change lives. Support our cause, together we can move mountains.

There is so much we can do to fight cancer. Every step you take brings us all closer to a cancer free future.

Every ringgit raised from this section will literally transform lives. This is where donations “will never go out of fashion.�